Photo Time

Thought I`d put some photos on my blog as I've just got a new camera!!



First, this is the fab yarn I won from Silvia, I love it!











The next photos are brooches I made earlier this summer from Stampbord, using various inks,
stamps and scraping techniques. They are really easy and fun to make.











This is a quick card I made for my
brother in laws birthday on Friday.
Last minute as usual!







And at last a knitty photo! Ians socks are coming along fine. The 6ply Regia knits up quickly but I prefer the 4plys fineness, but as CarrieAnne pointed out, these look 'manly'!!

I've taken loads more photos, but luckily for everyone, Bloggers on a go slow, so I won't bore you anymore.

There was one photo I wasn't sure about putting on as it makes me look such a slob, but I thought the embarrassment might spur me into tidying it.






Let me introduce my craftroom.........................




What more can I say! I hang my head in shame!!

Like A Kid In A Sweet Shop

And I was!! I got back from the Knitting and Stitching show at Harrogate late on Friday night, after spending two days trawling the halls!
I didn't know what to expect as it was my first time there,but the sheer size of it was enough to get me excited!!
This is some of my purchases. I bought some Regia sock yarn, Alpaca DK which was reduced as a show special, and several shades of Debbie Bliss Cashmerino aran. From HipKnits I got some sari silk in gorgeous autumn shades and from a Swedish firm whose name escapes me, I bought 2 skeins of a hand spun handdyed aran weight yarn, which I'm hoping to knit a shawl with. I also got some yarn to try dyeing and from Jamiesons, I purchased some tops in a yummy chocolate colour.

I was a little disappointed in the yarn stalls. There were all too many selling cheap fuzzy yarn and not as many as I'd expected selling unusual stuff, I don't know if this was typical or not.
I also bought some fabric and a pattern for tote bags. I'm no
seamstress, so watch this space!

I finally found some Denise interchangeable circular needles and a pair of bamboo dpns. Also at the Taj Craft stall, where I bought my Denise needles, I found a book called Learn to Spin. It is really basic and goes through fleece preparation as well as the spinning itself, so it seemed ideal for me! I also got some beads to add to the collection waiting to be made into something! And to try and make me feel Christmassy, I got a felt christmas angel kit.

The four huge halls were mind boggling and I don't know how many times I got lost.

Highlights for me were the workshops and Rowan fashion show I attended. Kerrie Allman ran Knitted Flowers, which was very enjoyable, not just for the workshop, but also because I met Emma and what a lovely person she is, and she looks stunning too!!
In the first photo, you can see some small amounts of silk yarn right at the front. This was the yarn Kerrie gave us at the workshop.
My second workshop was Hooky Rugs which I found interesting as I like learning new craft skills. The Rowan workshop was brill too. Seeing the garments in the flesh gave a totally different perspective to the designs. Andrea joined me for the fashion show. It was lovely to see that she'd made it down and I really enjoyed looking around with both her and CarrieAnne.

While I was away, Silvia posted the yarn I had won and I couldn't wait to see it. I was not disappointed! It is absolutely gorgeous. I forgot to take a photo, but I will. The yarn is so soft with a beautiful texture and colour. I'm pleased to read also that Silvia is going to start selling her yarn. I would definitely recommend it, its gorgeous! So thank you Silvia and keep up the good work! I wish you loads of success with your yarn sales.

Ready To Go!!

I'm so excited! Firstly, cos I'm busy packing for a few days in Harrogate at the Knitting and Stitching Show! I've never been before but I preordered the show book which shows what companies are there and where they are. It looks HUGE and very tiring, but I'll just have to grit my teeth and think of yarn!!
The other reason I'm as high as a kite is I've won some beautiful yarn!! Silvia of Fromthesheepsback fame, has spun a gorgeous yarn and I won it in her competition!!! I don't think I would have been able to part with it if I'd spun it!! So thank you so much Silvia, I can't wait to get my hands on it!!
Well fingers crossed that my back holds out, I'm sure I'll still struggle round even if I'm crippled with pain!!
I better get on with the packing. Twenty layers to sleep in cos I bet the caravan will be FREEZING! But its all part of the fun!

Skip To The Loo!!

It seems ages since I blogged. I just seem to be busy doing nothing at the moment! I've felt more able to get out and about a bit more, which does make me feel better, but gives me less time to do things.
On Monday, Spennyknit met up. The usual addicts were there and it was lovely to see some new members. The mince pies were yummy!! Thanks Andrea!
Friday was a bit of a roller coaster! It was my dear hubby's birthday. 21 again!! He's still waiting for his pressie from me, as the company I ordered it from decided not to tell me it was out of stock when I placed the order!! Adding to the stress , my son was referred for more medical tests on Friday too. I know that it's better to identify the problems cos then you can deal with them, but it still makes my anxiety levels shoot through the roof! I also did Darlo craft market with CarrieAnne, didn't sell a bean, got hypothermia but really enjoyed the day and had a good laugh!!
People of a nervous disposition should look away now!! There follows graphic images of..............loo roll covers!! Us 'Coven' members currently have a standing joke about loo roll covers!! I think I was responsible for this all starting, after jokingly suggesting CarrieAnne knit some for her stall!! I then bought her a BEAUTIFUL crinoline lady loo roll cover!! But back to the craft market, Andrea presented me with.....................

This GORGEOUS Christmas Pud loo roll cover!!!!

Aren't I a lucky Lady??!!

CarrieAnne preserved the handover of this fabulous gift for posterity !

I can see this getting out of hand, each of us ending up with loads of these things!! If anyone has seen any patterns for these gorgeous items, the tackier the better, could you let me know!The eventful day finished with a beautiful meal with the family. I think I was pleased it was over!!

On Sunday, our knitting groups had a table at a local craft fair, to sell the remaining teddies etc from the Picnic. Unfortunately, there were only a few customers through the door but we did sell some things. See CarrieAnne and Andrea's blog to see the photos of the newly named 'Coven'!! We knitted and nattered the day away, drank loads of tea and ate lots of biccies!! So it turned out well in the end!!

Promised Pics

Tom came home with his camera, so I`ve taken the opportunity to take some pics of my ( now unwrapped ) wheel!



The wheel needs waxing but I haven`t got round to getting any yet.


I`ve also taken a photo of the extras that were sent with the wheel. They are balanced on top of the fleece that I was sent. I don`t know if its usable, how old it is or anything. I feel at the bottom of a very steep learning curve!!







I`ve looked thro the Ashford book of spinning, but I would really like to go to a workshop, to learn the basics.





Yesterday was Darlingtons In Stitches knitting group at the art centre. It was really nice to see everyone, to see what everyones latest knitting project was, have coffee, cake and lots of laughs!! It really does lift my spirits.

After the group CarrieAnne and I had a mooch around Boyes and bought some bargains, though mine weren`t of the knitting variety!! I was looking for fabric to make a 'drool blanket'!!

Being the owners of a big, beautiful, black labrador brings many rewards. The downside is the drool. Remember that film Beethoven, with the drooly dog? Well Paddy has definitely modelled himself on Beethoven! And as Ian has just got another car, whose rear seat is drool-free, I am going to attempt to make a cover, just for where Paddy rests his head when he is in the boot. Alfie, not to be left out, contributes by putting his mucky little paws in the same area!!

While shopping, I bought some black fleece, thinking it would wash and dry quickly. So all I`ve got to do now is make a cover!!? Oh-oh!