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August 27th was Bank Holiday Monday. The day was more so reminiscent of a blustery, cold, wet, dim Autumn than tail end of the Summer. Depressing... It is a little known fact that people living in the north east of England are advised to take extra vitamin D supplements due to the lack of sunlight. Also, a taxi driver told me, last Winter, that he had a Norwegian passenger who said it was colder during the Winter in the north east than it was in Norway! He said she was grumbling that she couldn't cope with the 'damp', that the coldness of the season in Norway was a dry cold rather than a wet coldness. I've lived here (by choice) for the past eight years, and I've only this last year gotten out of the habitual need to sneak a hot water bottle on the morning bus journey into work during the Winter....
Anyway. I spent Bank Holiday Monday with my parentals. We kept company in the morning at home. Dad crosswording, Mum doing her lovely tapestry and some geneology research, and me (going nearly cross-eyed in the dim daylight) getting into one of four crochet projects on the go at the moment. This is my version of the 'Flowers in the Snow' blanket by Solveig Grimstad (from Ravelry, http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/flowers-in-the-snow). If you are unfortunate enough to have not signed up to Ravelry, or choose not to indulge in such delicious yarn adoring procrastination, then she (Solveig Grimstad), has provided an excellent translation of her pattern (using US crochet terms) with photos, on her blog, which you can access here: http://solgrim.blogspot.co.uk/2009/06/sirkel-i-kvadrat.html .
Note to self: This beautiful design is called 'Flowers in the Snow' for the reason that each motif/square is meant to be bordered in white. I, in the throes of 'Intent to Destash', chose navy blue around apple green, teal and purple flowers. Dim days + dark borders = strained, peeping peepers! However, these are a combination of my favourite colours and they look fabulous together nonetheless. Here is what I have completed so far:
The other project I am working on is 'Nancy's Waves Scarf' by Cori Dodds on Ravelry (http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/nancys-waves-scarf ), which is a free pdf download. I am using a Regia sock yarn ( 4 ply, wool and nylon blend). The yarn colours crochet out beautifully with the pattern, however, I am suprised how 'scratchy' and rough it feels and wonder if even using a little conditioner when I block it is going to make it any softer? The link on Ravelry offers 'yarn ideas' for the project, and I'm thinking that when I do this again (lovely Christmas gift scarves), I might choose something more luxurious like Mini Mochi, Schoppel-Wolle Zauberball, Noro Silk Garden, or Araucania Ranco Multy.... However, those choices will mean new purchases and conscious avoidance of Intent to Destash!...Oh woe.
The Artful Adorner has taken a blog break to write out a hundred times 'I WILL destash!'.....
This is my Nancy's Waves Scarf thus far:
After lunch, we got on the bus into the city and spent a pleasant hour or so wandering around the Laing Gallery. The two exhibitions at the moment are 'The Family' and 'Quentin Blake' illustrations. My favourite 'Isabella and the pot of Basil' by Rossetti is out on loan alas, but I was delighted to see another favourite, 'Cat in a Cottage Window' by Ralph Hedley, remained for viewing pleasure. We convened for coffee and tea and cake in the Laing cafe before heading back to the bus stop home (their Rocky Road is delicious!).
I have not abandoned my art journal exploits, I managed to complete two A5 size pages for the day on some scrap paper (that I will paste into one of my books). Before I sign off, I 'd just like to mention that my parents saw a fantastic Rolf Harris exhibition in John Lewis (Newcastle upon Tyne), which is on at the moment.
Oooooooh, tomorrow is Woollee Wednesday!
...loads of yarn craft a-doing! Well, the knitting is on and off, worked mostly in between lots of projects on various hooks. I'm finding the sticks a little hard going. This is mostly due to the fact that I can crochet so much faster than I can knit & so my attention span is so much shorter with the sticks. However, practice, they say, makes perfect, so I've started working on knitted scarves for everyone ready for Christmas.
I'm pretty tired right now, having spent the best part of my afternoon off work with 3 strangers attempting to catch a lost and very scared collie dog running amok around my locality. The one chap in our group of Dog-A-Teers managed to get hold of the poor thing's collar (after 1 hour of coaxing) and take him home with him (nearby) to keep him safe until he could get help.
I was so angry... I had called the RSPCA from my mobile phone: NUMEROUS pick an option options on the phoneline, 10 minutes on hold and fleeced £8 off my payg later, the RSPCA officer told me he couldn't help us and I should call the local council's dog warden. Did he have a number for me? No, he did not. Could the dog warden help us? No, because it was a flippin answering machine as the department was (by then 4.30pm) closed.
ANYWAY... the chap who took him planned to ring a local vet for advice and maybe find out if the collie is chipped. Fingers crossed for the poor dog.
Had a fantastic weekend just gone. Mum came up to stay and we had a lovely girls weekend: On Friday evening we shared a delicious meal at Lochfyne; Shopped & dropped on the Saturday around Newcastle; Gave Mum the 'Yo, Sushi!' experience which was fun (except for the powdered Japanese chilli that made the right side of my face go numb); Chick flicks and after dinner walks; A lovely pootling browse around the Quayside market on Sunday morning; then I treated Mum and my friend Irene to the 'Afternoon Confectioners Tea' at Jesmond Dene House Hotel on Sunday afternoon which we all thoroughly enjoyed - scrumpdiddlyumptious! Mum bought me these beautiful flowers:
I introduced Mum to the joys and wonder of Ravelry, for which she is awaiting an invitation. I've apparently spiked her creative verve and she is itching to learn Entrelac. I posted off two patterns for her today, one of which is the hugely popular 'Lady Eleanor Entrelac Stole' design by Kathleen Power Johnson from the wonderful book 'Scarf Style' by Pam Allen which I have on loan from a friend. I'm currently in the throes of pattern lust for this book. I will be so jealous when Mum masters it. I just got really confused when I had a go and my yarn got really tight on my needles which made it very hard before I gave up and frogged it. Maybe not such a good idea for a newbie knitter eh? I am hoping though, that Mum will teach me Entralac when I go home for my Summer holiday in July. Mum has oodles of enviable knitting skill.
Hmmm. What else? Oh yes, I just HAVE to tell you about the most gorgeous yarn I bought from Ring-A-Rosie a few weeks back. It is Noro Shikisai (35% cotton, 22% acrylic, 15% silk, 15% kid mohair & 13% wool). It is in variegated colourways of brown, turquoise-greens & hints of purple. Probably sounds gross, but it is really lovely (colour shade 10) and feels so light and soft. I started the Midori scarf I have queued on Ravelry, which I then frogged (got bored with the slow growth) to turn into a crocheted late Summer keep-the-evening-chill-off scarfy wrap type accessory which I have designed myself. Will post pics soon. For some reason the yarn seems to crochet up softer than when knit. I love it though and can't wait to finish and show you.
Also, on the jewellery front line (yes, the passion remains at full throttle), I'm currently working on a funky and frankly girly-gorgeous collection of handbag jewellery and brooches. Again, pics will be posted soon. I've just joined pinkdoodle.com with a view to (if I can get myself into gear) eventually selling my wearble art pieces in their market place. Fingers crossed.
Finally. I am in the process of hopefully commencing a Bsc (Hons) in Continuing Professional Studies affiliated with my full time job. So, there is a lot on my plate, but I'm really looking forward to the many creative challenges in the upcoming months.
Bye for now.
Well,the rain kept me awake most of last night & when I looked out of the window my childish heart leapt in momentary joy at the thick layer of unsteppedupon snow.I also observed that the gritter had not made an appearance & so thought perhaps twas best not to venture outside. No big deal, I thought...Plenty of crocheting to do...Then discovered that my phone had zilch reception (lasted all day so far). Trapped indoors in uncivilised civilisation, with nowt but my hook, my internet connection & Phil & Fern.
Work in progress is a baby blanket for my friend's 18mth old daughter...5 row treble squares in lime green & pale to mid shades of pink...They are then sewn into 4 square larger squares, quartered & bordered with really fluffy/hairy variagated pink yarn.HOWEVER, I ran out of the hairy yarn I had bought in the sale from The Wool Shop, in Consett, & so had popped,last week, to the Grainger market in the Toon. I've never had a problem with stash from there before, & had bought a lovely big ball of the hairy stuff (in the sale basket). I started using it last night and had maybe only worked 2 sides of a large square, when I suddenly realised that my yarn was bald, no longer hairy for about 3metres worth,after which the hairiness commenced again for a couple of metres, then went bald again for the entire remainder of the ball. Well, I guess I had to have a doody dud yarn experience at some point, but I was really knarked with this one, especially as I now have to make a special trip out for more yarn.
Another thing that knarked me off this last week was National Book Vouchers. I received a total of £50 worth for Xmas & birthday. Having perused muchly one afternoon, I decided on 2 new crochet books in Waterstones.They came to £28.75, so I handed the cashier £30 of vouchers, only to be told she could only take £20 of NB vouchers & I'd have to pay the difference with my own cash. It is stated on the back of the NBV (in small print), that no change can be given. HOWEVER, if it had been Waterstones vouchers I had used (as if I had had a choice!), then I would've received change. Defeats the point of the 'gift' vouchers really when you end up having to fork out yourself.
On a good & much nicer note, I made a new friend on Ravelry today. Her blog is great & next time I'm on here, I'll make sure not to forget her blog link,as I have today!
Have a great week. Looking forward to The Bridge tomorrow night.
HAPPY NEW YEAR! NOVA GODINA!
Ok, so my fantastic blog idea didn't go so well last year...with seemingly one disasterous health problem after the other. Been off work since the end of October with herniated discs. Not fully slipped, but excruciatingly painful at times and physically & partly mentally debilitating nonetheless ( discs protruding onto sciatic nerve). I have been having one to one pilates sessions, which are focused on core stability body conditioning & postural realignment, and have started going swimming. It has been a one step forward, two steps back kind of rehabilitation these past two months. I still have some weakness down one leg, in which I get a sciatic cramp flare up now and then, but I can cope better with it now & I'm getting better at listening to my body when it is warning me that I'm doing too much. I aim to be recommencing my full time job in February (alleluja), all things being well.
So, what have I been filling my time with aside from my daily exercises? Well, jewellery making went out the window for a while ( back on track with that end of December) as I was unnable to sit to to anything at all to start with, then later on I could only sit for short periods of 10 minutes at the most. Since I could crochet in practically any position, I took this up again (no hats this time). Believe me, I am sure crocheting has kept me sane. This and listening to the soothing tones of Stephen Fry reading all the Harry Potter books.... I'm very glad, after seeing the J.K.Rowling special on tv last week, that this wonderful lady is writing more for us.
This weekend just gone, I completed my very first pair of crocheted socks (see the pic of the rainbow stripe enrobed feet), and I have now, having been to knitting group at The Bridge this evening, commenced my second pair, in a less eye catching colourway! My Nana & Mum (great knitters) thought they were fab.
I received a digital camera for my birthday (end of December), so I am busy trying to get my head around that. Just managed to copy pics from camera to computer this evening, now just got to suss out how to transfer to here and onto Ravelry ( I'm ArtfulAdorner in case you are on there too). Fab site!
Oh well. Just bringing this blog upto date really. Trying not to make resolutions for 2008, would just like some good health please.
I believe MSTKG thoroughly deserves its own blog post dedication. Joining this Newcastle based group has been such a positive experience! The members I've met so far are really fab people & my creative spirits are uplifted & revived every week we meet: Tuesday evenings, 7-9pm at The Bridge Hotel pub, next to the Vermont Hotel on the quayside.
The group is also intertwined with the Centurion Knitters group which meet every Saturday, 10am-12 noon, in an upstairs room at the Centurion pub at Central Station.
I'll leave you now reader. Accumulating many UFOs for Christmas & eagerly awaiting Ravelry invitation!
