Monday 30 May 2011

Away for the Weekend Again!



We have been away so much this last month. Anyway, just got back from a weekend in Seahouses. The reason? to visit the Farne Islands and see some puffins. Last year we went to the Orkneys but only saw one puffin, clearly bought in for the day to entertain the public, Pete, the puffin put on a lovely show but he did look a bit like a 'Billy no mates' on his tod. Inner Farne on the other hand had more puffins than you could shake a stick at. They were everywhere, completely mad beaks, little stubby legs and flappage that you wouldn't have though would get them off the ground. Nesting next to that most elegant, if dim bird, the artic tern. Beautifully streamlined for the thousands of miles it flies when it migrates but very dim as it nests on the paths people walk on when they visit the Islands. It also gets very cross when the public walk on the paths, I felt like I was in the film 'The Birds' as I got my head pecked by numerous grumpy artic terns protecting their eggs. I was glad of my hat. Photography was difficult as the wind almost blew us off our feet and the boat trip out to the island, well bouncy and wet would best describe it.

Friday 27 May 2011

Happier Fabric Bundle.


How gorgeous is this? I had to have it for a baby quilt for the daughter of an old friend. I want it now so I can start sewing but I'll just have to wait. You can find it here. Whenever I want something a bit different and nice I go to Fabric Rehab.

Sunday 22 May 2011

Weekend in Wales


We went to Wales this weekend to see the final of the Heineken Cup at the Millenium Stadium in Cardiff. The match was brilliant, really exciting, the atmosphere was great, better than Murrayfield in 2009. We stayed in a lovely Bed and Breakfast near Abergavenny called Penpergwm Lodge The house was huge and beautiful, it really felt as if we were staying with friends in their home. The garden was stunning. It was hard to chose one picture to put on this post of the garden, maybe I'll have to put some more on over the next few days. This picture shows a very small part of the garden but probably my favourite part. We went to Symonds Yat on Friday to see the peregrin falcons but were more excited by the nuthatches in a nesting box only a few feet away. We couldn't drag ourselves away.

Two on One - Progress


As you can see progress has been made, its going well but I am finding it a bit fiddly. Anyway, will keep on and finish.

Wednesday 18 May 2011

Two Socks on One Circular Needle


I'm determined to crack this, the cast on was really fiddly and I couldn't see how it would work out. Thanks to this tutorial from Silver It all came together. I'll post progress for this as I go along with it. Looking forward to finishing two socks at once.

Friday 13 May 2011

Ishbel 4 Finished!


Finished last night, now being blocked. This project took a week and looks lovely for a quick knit. I abandoned Ishbel 3 in favour of the Noro Sekku. It is quite small though, if I made another one with Noro Sekku I would make the larger size. This has made a lovely summer shawlette (hate that word), small shawl.

Sunday 8 May 2011

A Strange Weekend


I have been knitting lots this weekend. We have been having some wiring done in my sewing conservatory so everything had to be put away. All the furniture has had to be stacked up in the sitting room and there has been lots of noise and lots of dust! I hid in the bedroom all weekend and knitted. Consequently, I have made great progress with my Ishbel and some progress with my sock yarn blanket

Saturday 7 May 2011

I Love Noro Sekku!


With each bit of this Ishbel, the Noro Sekku looks different and shows a range of colour that I wouldn't have thought would have gone together. But go together it does and beautifully. Iv'e said it before, no one does colour like Noro! I think I may just get the Ishbel out of one ball which is bonus too.

Friday 6 May 2011

Ishbel Knitalong


Latest picture of the Ishbel, I couldn't wait to see how the colours would turn out and as you can see they are just lovely. I've finished the stocking stitch part of the shawl and am now on section A of the vine pattern. More pictures soon. We are having some buildng work done in my sewing conservatory so I won't be sewing this weekend, I'd like to finish the Noro Ishbel as I really want to teach myself to knit 2 socks at a time on one circular needle. Watch this space!

Thursday 5 May 2011

Changed My Mind!


When I saw this Noro Sekku I had to have it. The Ishbel Knitalong with Martine and Chloe will now be with this, I'll finish the Koigu some other time. The colours in this yarn are gorgeous and I can't wait to see how they turn out in the shawl. This change of heart came about as I saw it on the shelf at the new knitting group I started going to last night. This one is very local, I can walk there and it takes place in Moonstone Yarns shop. So it ticks all the boxes, close to home, lots of lovely yarny chatter and shopping! I will also continue to pop in to KTOG as often as I can.

Monday 2 May 2011

Ishbel Knitalong


After rummaging through my stash I have decided to make the Ishbel with this yarn. It is Koigu Painters Palette Premium Merino. Knitting along with me are Chloehttp://www.blogger.http://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gifcom/img/blank.gif and Martine and probably others. I'll get the yarn wound into balls this evening and make a start.

Placemats


Whilst away in Matlock I finished the place mats for my sister. I love the colours and the way these have turned out. Now she wants a table runner and matching napkins! Back to the sewing machine then.
The fabric is from Fabric Rehab ande I just used a simple crazy patchwork thing for the central piece.

Derbyshire Weekend


Fab time at my sisters in Matlock. The weather was glorious, extra long weekend after a wonderful wedding fest on the Friday. Kate looked absolutely stunning, the dress was perfect and as for the trees in the Abbey, inspiring! But then I'm not saying anything here that anyone else doesn't know. I think we can all agree it was a wonderful event and I hope they will be very happy.

Lovely walk on Saturday up at Elton past Robin Hood's Stride, a outcrop of rocks enjoyed by climbers. The weather again was great for a country walk. Lots of ups and downs to get our blood pumping and wild flowers and gorgeous views to look at. The three of us took our camera's to play with and came back with some nice results.

Sunday another walk round Carsington Water, again lovely weather and nice views but it was very busy with people all doing what we were doing, enjoying a fine day and a good walk. We lunched at the cafe at the visiters centre. Good value and very good.