UK Swap Treasure Hunt

1. Name 3 participants with dogs

Adrienne(Padiham Knitter aka Me), Alicia (Bajanknit), and Shirley (Sqyguy)

2. Name 2 participants who live in Scotland.

Katherine (KathJ) and Linde (Aardvarkentje)

3. Name 2 participants who crochet - post a link to one of their crochet projects for an extra point.

Machelle (Michewishi) and Helen (Flapjack)

4. Name 3 participants who listen to Podcasts.

Alicia (Bajanknits), Caroline(Craftyfox), and Cat (Snailspace)

5. Name 2 participants who have taken part in Tour de Fleece

Sally (Sallyjoy81) and Kaye (Scarlettina)

6. Name a participant with an advert on Ravelry
Not sure about this one so I'm guessing it's Vikki (Viknits)

7. Name 5 participants who like "Staying In"

Shirley (Sqyguy), Fiona (Scarletprincess), Josephine (Josielefay), Angie (Knittynutter), and Gemma (Gemjams)

8. Name the participant who loves "The Flumps"

Claire (Sleepknitting) likes the Flumps

9. Name 3 participants who like herbal tea

Josilefay, Caughtknitting and Danielle (Delle)

10. Name 4 participants who dislike novelty yarn
Caroline (Craftyfox), Claire (Sleepknitting), Jacqui (Tiggerbee), Katherine (KathJ), and Kaye (Scarlettina)

11. Name 3 participants who have children

Adrienne (Padihamknitter), Ari (Knitternatternoo) and Lucy (Bearium)

12. Name 2 participants whose favourite colour is red.

Hannah (Twigletqueen) and Gemma (Gemjams)

13. Name the participant who has grown an artichoke.

Caroline (Craftyfox)

14. Name 2 participants who have knitted lace stoles in the last 6 weeks.

Lucy (Bearium) and Vikki (Viknits)

15. Name 2 participants who loath Big Brother

Ceri (Carpedyem) and Frances (Goldenneedles)

Ooh! Lots of Goodies

My UK Swap parcel arrived today.

Here's the box with younger daughter getting stuck in straight away


In almost no time at all the contents were visible.... tempting... inviting... mysterious. There were even some special little packages for the girls.




Needless to say no time was wasted. They grabbed their goodies and retreated to a suitable spot to rip away and oooh and ahhh. They got loads of sweeties and a couple of adorable handmade necklaces which they love. Was unable to get a proper photo of them modelling them as they were far too giddy and full of sweeties to stay still long enough!!!



Next came some blissful moments of wrapping ripping..... ah... fab!



And here are the goodies in all their spendor!



There is: a cute sheep that sits with its legs dangling off a shelf, a fab tote bag (much appreciated as I have given up plastic bags recently and never have enough totes - it's also an excuse to fill it with yet more UFOs!), gorgeous scented candles, some lavendar and bergamot bath treats to remind me of France, some sock wool, some hot chocolate, a writing set, treats for the girls, a lovely blue bag the colour of french window shutters, some earl grey tea ( I dug out my special cup and saucer from which I am sipping said tea in an extremely lady like fashion!) and last but not least the all important emergency chocolate bars (just what you need when you lose the ability to count while knitting and then have to rip back!!).

I have been well and truly spoiled and there was also a lovely letter from Ari (aka Knitternatternoo) who tells me there is more to come! I am overwhelmed! THANK YOU SO MUCH!!!

I am now feeling a bit remiss about my own parcel which is not yet sorted. All the knitterly stuff is sorted just the treats to do which I'll be picking up when I am on hols!

Right I need a lie down now.... and maybe a nibble of some emergency chocolate too!!

Birthday Fun

A fun time was had by all at Bronia's 4th birthday party! Here's the birthday girl dashing about in the play area at good old Padiwacks!

UK Swap Question of the Week # 6

Of all the bands/artists in your cd/record collection, which one do you own the most albums by?

All of our music is now in MP3 format on iTunes and I have lots of various artist stuff.
I have the most original albums of Nick Cave and the Badseeds, James and Pulp.
My husband has LOADS of Alice Cooper, Pink Floyd, Black Sabbeth, David Bowie and Bruce Springsteen.

What was the last song you listened to?
Mamma Mia by Abba

What’s your favorite local band?
Blamange (they were quite local at the time)

What’s the worst CD/record/etc. you’ve ever bought?
A Mamas and Papas CD that wasn't the original artists (no wonder it was cheap!)

What was the first single/album you ever bought?
First single I bought with my own money was Stand and Deliver by Adam and the Ants
First album I bought myself was Dare by the Human League

Strikes, rain and cancelled sports day

Well it's been a busy old week.

Firstly there was the two day strike on Wednesday and Thursday of this week. Not the best time to strike given that we are in the middle of a general depression according to the media but I suppose downtrodden local government workers have to make a stand at some point.

Happily the second strike day coincided with Natty's school sports day so I was chuffed to be able to go to it but alas... rain stopped play and it was called off. Never mind.

Bronia will be 4 on Monday and I have got all her pressies and party stuff sorted. Just need to make butties and jelly nearer the time.

DH got into a debate with a Friends of the Earth campaigner while in town today. Poor soul just got a 15 minute tirade about the complete inequity and pointlessness of the newly hiked up road tax and what exactly does it do for the environment anyway until the poor chap glazed over and gave up.

Also tootled off to Stitch and Bitch on Wednesday after not going for a few weeks only to find it wasn't on as the shop owner is on hols. Grr... was all geared up to buy more stash too and will have to wait another week to do so. Natty wants me to knit a pair of socks for her teacher and I was after sock wool. In the end I have created a 'bespoke' pair from leftovers (will post a piccie when finished!)

Uk Swap Question of the Week 5

1. Stop or go? Go
2. Going out or Staying in? Going Out
3. Small town or big city? Small Town
4. Happy or sad? Happy
5. Straights or Circulars? Circulars
6. Red or Blue? Red
7. Seaside or countryside? Countryside
8. Fish or chips? Chips
9. Surprises or plans? Surprises
10. Wine or beer? Beer
11. Sweaters or cardigans? Cardigans
12. Pizza or Pasta? Pasta
13. Chopsticks or fork? Fork
14. Early Bird or Night Owl? NightOwl
15. Knitting or crochet? Knitting
16. Hot or cold? Hot

Race For Life

The Three Mad Cows are now the Three Triumphant Cows!!

Here we are sporting our medals and looking rather hot and sweaty... fuzzy cow fabric doesn't really make the best running gear on a hot day.

The day before the race was appalling weather wise, with thunder and lightning and even hailstones in our neck of the woods. I thought we would end up skating through the mud and getting rather wet on the day but the weather gods smiled on us and it was fine and sunny.. a bit too hot at times.

I am so proud of us. We all finished and I even managed to keep going all the way round - no walking at all. I ran the whole way. Note that I use the term "ran" rather loosely as many of the people walking round were going faster than me!!

You see the three triumphant mad cows above (a bit hot and sweaty too)

Here we all are "in action"



Debs looking cool, calm and collected.

















Mantha looking every inch the athlete albeit a freisian one!










And here I am waving merrily on lap one and looking a bit grim on lap two!

UK Swap Question of the Week 4

What is your favourite thing that you have knit? (It might not be your favourite thing to wear but it was the most enjoyable to knit).

I enjoyed knitting the Monkey socks that I made for my sister in law's birthday recently. In fact, most socks are enjoyable to knit so my current one is always a favourite. I also loved knitting a little cardie for my daughter and she liked it too which was a bonus. I think my overall favourite is the Tomten Jacket by Elizabeth Zimmerman. I love the whole pithy directions approach she has and felt quite free and creative while I was making it

What is the worst thing you've ever knit?

A cable jumper for my husband. He is tall and has long arms but unfortunately I got the sizing hideously wrong and it would most likely fit a super size sumo wrestler... it is a legendary jumper within the family.... have only knitted him socks since! You can view the full horror here: Monster jumper

What are your favourite knitblogs?

I check out friends blogs mostly and have had a good old nosey around the UK Swappers blogs too! I do like Brooklyn Tweed and the Yarn Harlot too.

What is the most amazing knitted thing you have seen?

Spotted this article

What is your favourite knitted item to wear? Post a picture if you can.

The first pair of socks I ever knitted. Still going strong. Still comfy (pic to follow)