Nick's Bloomers

Hello all

Not much to report at the moment really. Nothing finished knittingwise since the Not Waving socks but I have started on a lovely little baby jacket, some more socks and the dishcloth/facecloths are coming along nicely. Also got some scrumptious hand made soap from Miche Wishi to go with the cloths.

The big event of the weekend has been Nick's bloomers! Must be the time of year or something but he had an urge to make bread, by hand, without the aid of a breadmaker and this is what he came up with!

Here they are fresh out of the oven!



And here's a shot of the very first slice



And here are the two thickly buttered slices that we just ate. Mmmmmm... yum yum!


You just know you want some....mmmmmm

Remembrance Sunday

I have to confess that we had forgotten all about this and were heading off to the park when we came across the Remembrance Sunday march. So we stayed and listened to the service.

The piper was good and there was also a brass band. Glad we saw it really. Girls were thrilled to see all the soldiers and had lots of questions about it. They have poppies which they got at school this week. Will be having a 2 minute silence on Tuesday at work at 11 o'clock as well. (11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month and all that)

They were lucky with the weather too because about half an hour later the skies opened and it has absolutely thrown it down since.

Have finished my Waving not Drowning socks for the UK Sockknitters Nov Kal and will wear them for work tomorrow I think.

Pretty chuffed with how they turned out. Used Chameleon Colorworks Evolution yarn in a colourway called Taos. Was a gift from my last sock wars victim. Very nice too.

Bonfire Night and Bike Trips

Just got back from stitch and bitch at Sheila's woolshop and it's bonfire night. Lots of people seem to be going for it tonight and it's all foggy and smoky. Love it - it takes me back to childhood. I used to love wandering around in the dark in my wellies checking out all the local bonfires. It's just not like that anymore sadly. No self-respecting parent would let their kids wander around like we used to and the health and safety bods have insisted on making you register your bonfire (not to mention scaring the bejesus out of all of us)... sighs wistfully.

Got some sparklers for the girls which they enjoyed. Didn't get any pics this year though.

Got an admission too! I have finally succumbed to the world of dishcloth knitting! This has been brought about by the availability of Peaches & Creme here in the UK and discloths seemed the appropriate project for such a yarn of legend!!!

Actually, they will end up as facecloths with some lovely handmade soap for christmas pressies. They just about qualify for the fiver christmas pressie that applies to the adults in the family. Only those under 18 qualify for a bona fide gift. Over 18s get a pressie for no more than a fiver!

Will do some socks for one or two bods as well I think. Only cost is time as the yarn is already looking at me ruefully from the sock wool basket!

DH and I are planning a big bike trip next summer. The girls will spend a couple of weeks with the grandparents and we two and the BMW will zoom off into the sunset. This is the infamous 90th birthday trip. I'm 40 at the end of this month and DH will be 50 next year you see. Anyway after much debate we decided to do an extensive trip around Scotland including lots of island hopping which we were both happy about. Having said that, DH has been checking out the Nick Sanders site and wants a bigger adventure so things have changed. It's now a trip to Istanbul!!!

FOs

Lots of stuff done since last time but not all photographed. Really enjoyed knitting Woollywormhead's Loopy Flapper. Lot's of sock knitting has taken place and got bumped off early on in this round of Hat Attack.

Here are a few things I finished recently

Socks for Nick. Sock yarn gifted by Knitternatternoo my lovely UK swap spoiler. Just a straightforward pair of ribbed socks. He didn't mind the pink stripe and wears them a lot


Jaywalkers. A birthday pressie for Charlotte. Good old Regia sock yarn. I was especially pleased with how these socks came out. The stripes looked really good.


Fingerless Mitts. Another birthday pressie. Used my last bit of Lorna's Laces sock yarn for these Mitt Envy mittens. The first skein became socks for the girls. The yarn was another gift from my sockapalooza pal Channon.




Socks for Samantha. Another birthday present. Opal rainforest yarn this time. Nice but not as nice as Regia. Have made some more of the above mitts for myself with the leftovers.

Sunny Sundays

Strangely we had a run of good weather on Sunday for about 4 weeks in October so here's what we did.

Week 1. A walk up Pendle Hill. Was warm enough for shorts and vesty tops. Such a change from all the vile rain there has been ALL summer long


Week 2 - a trip to the Atom. A panopticon at Wycoller. Another gloriously sunny Sunday

Love this place. It's great. You can wander around and inside it and it doesn't look out of place even though it's an odd thing to find in the countryside!

Week 3 - Rivington. Liverpool Castle a folly built by Lord Leverhulme. It's hard to conceive of having so much fortune that you can build a ruin on a whim isn't it!


Week 4 - Girls were with Grandparents as we were going to a 50th birthday bash. We spent the afternoon out on the bike which was brill! Forgot to take the camera so here's an arty photo of the bike in any case. It's a BMW K1200RS for those of you who like to know these things!

France

Hmm... it has been a while hasn't it. Sorry no excuse other than total apathy and a growing addiction to Ravelry!

So what's been happening?

Well went on hols to France which was great. Brittany this time in a little gite in the middle of nowhere really but good base for exploring lots of interesting places and the awesome coastline

Here's a typically impressive Breton sky.


On a boat trip to Isle de Brehat p nice quirky place that reminded us of PortMerion (the village in the Prisoner series)


Cote de Granit Rose - like Brimham Rocks in Yorkshire only by the sea and on steroids!


Intensive and extensive sandcastle construction. Tunnel being dug out!


Mont St Michel... you just got to go don't you

UK Swap Question of the Week #1

Saturday 14th June is World Wide Knitting in Public day.

What are you doing to participate in WWKIP day on Saturday?

Didn't really do anything for this as I knit in public an awful lot anyway.

What is the strangest place you have ever knit?
Depends what you mean by strange. I've knitted on buses, boats, hospital waiting rooms, in the car, in bed, standing up in the kitchen waiting for stuff to cook, at children's parties, in the pub. Any available moment really....

Here I am knitting away at a recent family get together (socks of course!) Not WWKIP day but it was a Saturday!

UK Swap Question of the Week #8

What three items would you want with you on a desert island and why?

1. My husband (for company and stuff)

2. Some sheep or alpacas for my own supply of wool (would fashion some knitting needles from twigs if necessary)

3. A wind up radio (hopefully would be able to find the BBC World Service)

UK Swap Question of the Week #7

Do you prefer to watch films at home or at the cinema?

Prefer the cinema but tend to watch at home mostly these days

What is the last film you saw?
A french film with Jean Reno on French telly while I was on hols - was quite funny.

Have you seen any films more than 10 times? If so which ones and why.

Rocky Horror Picture Show, the Blues Brothers, Some Like It Hot because I never get tired of the humour in any of them.

What film do you recommend that people should see?

Some Like It Hot. A timeless classic and worth it for all of the double entendre in the train scenes! Still funny after all this time.

If you could be any character from a film who would it be?

Amelie - love her quirky whisicalness

Bit of a do!

Just back from a weekend at Mantha's C&B - thats camping and breakfast. We couldn't all squeeze into the house so four tents in the back garden just about accommodated all of us.

Plus there was plenty of room for fun and games too


Here's the obligatory group shot taken on Saturday evening when we were all feeling rather mellow!

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)

Question of the week 3

Is there a TV programme you watch religiously?

Oh a few - My Name Is Earl, anything with Hugh Fearnley Whittingstall, Scrubs, Green Wing

What TV programme(s) do you avoid like the plague?

Big Brother ( don't get me started on the complete and utter waste of time and effort this program is)

Is there a TV programme that you find works particularly well for knitting along to?

Anything really... I just sort of zone out when I'm knitting

What was/is your favourite kids TV programme?

My favourite when I was a child was Bagpuss and my current favourite is Peppa Pig

Unfinished Objects

OMG I really must get my act together. I have quite a few UFOs on the go at the moment.

There's a crocheted cardigan for me (from one of the Rowan Mags in Kid Classic), a cardigan for the girls (last sleeve to finish), several pairs of socks, a knitted bag, and I'm sure there are others that have escaped my memory at this moment in time.

I am therefore vowing not to start any more projects until I have finished at least one of the above! (Yeah right!!!!)

Other news... there is going to be some strike action in the world of local government so that's a couple of unpaid days to come...and at holiday time too. Ah well... you never know we might get a pay rise that at least matches the inflation rate. Probably not though, or a revised offer for more than a year which looks good but is actually pants.

UK Swap Question of the Week 2

Which three guests (alive or not) would you invite to a dinner party and why?

Elizabeth Zimmerman - my knitting guru. Have to love her for knitting on the back of a motorbike (or was it a scooter) as well! Interesting woman.

George Clooney - eye candy

Spike Milligan - for the entertainment and general bizarre-ness

What Adrienne Means

You are usually the best at everything ... you strive for perfection.
You are confident, authoritative, and aggressive.
You have the classic "Type A" personality.

You are balanced, orderly, and organized. You like your ducks in a row.
You are powerful and competent, especially in the workplace.
People can see you as stubborn and headstrong. You definitely have a dominant personality.

You are wild, crazy, and a huge rebel. You're always up to something.
You have a ton of energy, and most people can't handle you. You're very intense.
You definitely are a handful, and you're likely to get in trouble. But your kind of trouble is a lot of fun.

You tend to be pretty tightly wound. It's easy to get you excited... which can be a good or bad thing.
You have a lot of enthusiasm, but it fades rather quickly. You don't stick with any one thing for very long.
You have the drive to accomplish a lot in a short amount of time. Your biggest problem is making sure you finish the projects you start.

You are friendly, charming, and warm. You get along with almost everyone.
You work hard not to rock the boat. Your easy going attitude brings people together.
At times, you can be a little flaky and irresponsible. But for the important things, you pull it together.

You are very intuitive and wise. You understand the world better than most people.
You also have a very active imagination. You often get carried away with your thoughts.
You are prone to a little paranoia and jealousy. You sometimes go overboard in interpreting signals.

Try this one out for yourself! The site is a con I've tried out all kinds of names and the same paragraphs come up all the time but they are mostly quite complementary and if you are looking for answers then you will find some thing that is true!!!

http://www.blogthings.com/whatsyournameshiddenmeaningquiz/

Eurovision

Oh I just love the Eurovision Song Contest. Terry Wogan's comments and the cheese of it all! Fabulous. Soooo political now. Why does everyone hate the UK so much. I felt so sorry for Andy Abraham as his performance was really good but the votes were just not forthcoming.

All good fun though and worth watching for Tel's sardonic commentary

UK Swap

Part One: Crafting
Do you knit, crochet, or both? Both I'm a fickle girl!

What do you like to make? Mostly socks but also hats, scarves, children's stuff & more socks

Do you have a favourite project? Definitely socks

Do you have a favourite type of fiber or brand of yarn? Wool, especially hand-dyed sock yarn

Do you have a least favourite type of yarn? Scratchy acrylics and bobbly yarns

Do you do any other crafts? Just knitting & crochet. Just got a fab sewing machine from freecycle so hope to get going with that.

Do you knit in public? If so where do you like knitting and what is your "portable" project?
What do you carry your "portable" knitting in? I knit at any available opportunity. I always have a sock project on the go usually in my handbag which I whip out and work on when the opportunity presents itself.

Are there any knitting gifts (book, toy, yarn, item, tool) that you have been lusting over? I'm always up for sock yarn! Lusting after the new CatBordhi new pathways book and chic knits for little kids.

Part Two: Your Favourites
What is your favourite colour? Green and anything earthy. Reds and oranges and purples.

What is your least favourite colour? Yellow

What scents/smells do you like? What don’t you like? Citrus, vanilla, bergamot, anything natural really

How do you like to pamper yourself? (bubble bath, hand creams, massage, manicure) Luxurious bubble baths all to myself with scented candles and music

What goodies to you like to eat? (chocolate, biscuits, sweets,crisps etc) Love choccies but not hugely fond of white chocolate. Also jam or marmalade on toast (something I forget how much I like until I have some!!)

Do you prefer tea or coffee while you knit? Any particular kind? Tea is my first choice but like interesting coffees too. Not fond of herbal/fruit tea more of an english breakfast/darjeeling/earl grey type of girl.

Do you listen to/watch anything while you knit? (TVshow-Along, movies, music, podcasts, audiobooks) Radio 2/Planet Rock, channel 4, children's TV (not usually by choice)

Part Three: About you, Living & Past-times
If you were a specific kind of yarn, which brand and kind of yarn would you be (and why)? A quirky hand dyed sock yarn I reckon

Where do you live in the UK? (General idea not address) Lancashire

Have you always lived here, or did you grow up somewhere else? Lancashire born and bred

What is your favourite place in the UK? The Lake District

If you could visit anywhere in the world, where would you go? Love Poland, Italy and France. I would love to visit South America, India and China

What other hobbies do you have? Motorbiking, reading, food (eating and cooking), music, laughing, life

Part Four: The Theme


The fabulous farmhouse we stayed in a couple of years ago in southwest france. The smell of lavender, the fields of sunflowers, the smelly cheese, the relaxation, the steamy sunshine, the fine food and good company. The faded blue that all the shutters are painted in the area and the lovely stone.... sigh... I want to go back there.

Final Part:
Any allergies/preferences (fiber-wise or treat-wise)? None

Anything we missed that you’d like your partner to know? Can't think of anything

Tiptoe through the bluebells

May Day Bank holiday... so what else to do but go to Bluebell Wood. I think there is a bluebell wood in every corner of the UK. It's an annual event and this year it wasn't raining and the bluebells were spectacular.
I just love spring. The weather this week has been glorious and the long, light evenings and fabulous fresh green of the new leaves makes me feel so cheerful.

Here are the girls enjoying the fresh air in bluebell wood this Bank Holiday.

Almost at the top of the hill. It's all downhill to the ice-cream van from here! Yummy

SOCKWARS III

It's on again and I'm in... looking forward to a bit of bloody yarned combat. Will be stocking up on tofutsies at Stitch 'n' Bitch on Wednesday and am raring to go....

I am out for revenge

Long Time No Post

Blimey... it's been a while. I can't believe it's May already.

Not felt much like blogging after a pretty crappy start to the year. Trips to hospital in an ambulance and a nasty bout of food poisoning for DH, the end of my beloved moggies and the death of my Gran all took their toll.

Gran (1924 - 2008)

Two of my favourite pics of gran. One as a swinging sixties chic on my Dad's scooter and as a great grandma sharing a happy moment with Natty.

Gypsy and Sylvia

No more moggies...

Here's Sylvia in a sunny spot pondering life's complexities
Gypsy plotting the takeover of the world

Race For Life 2008

Have entered the Preston race on June 22nd alongside my 2 sisters in law. We are running as 3 mad cows. It's a goal to aim for as I have been pussyfooting about with the whole running thing. It gives me something to focus on that's probably achievable. And in a very good cause so...

GET YOUR HANDS IN YOUR POCKETS AND SPONSOR US

http://www.raceforlifesponsorme.org/threemadcows

Hat Attack

Ah yes another bout of yarned combat. This time with hats. I like the fact that the whole list of assassins and targets has been released in advance so that you know what 's going on.

Lessons have been learned from Sock Wars I think. Still haven't got any socks but have been contacted by the organisers to find out what has happened so lets hope something turns up soon. My feet are in need of something toasty!

Have been in touch with both my assassin and my target which is fun and have completed and mailed my hat. Here it is modelled beautifully by DD2

Cold nights

One of the things I love most about my house is the real fire in the basement - and it seems that Natty is a bit of a fan too! Here she is toasting away after school on a cold January evening!

Tracey's Socks

Made some socks for my friend Tracey and had enough left over for a pair of baby booties. Bog standard stocking stitch sock but done on 2 circulars instead of 4 dpns. Am loving the circulars as the picked up stitches on the heel flap and the gusset decreases are sooo neat when done this way. I could be a convert!

Bootiful Booties

A colleague at work has just had a baby girl so I have found a use for some sock wool that was left over when I finished Tracey's socks.

Huge cute factor I think. Used Christines's Baby Booties pattern and added k2p2 rib at the top. Made some i-cord laces and am very pleased with how they turned out.