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.

Freedom Spirit Hat and Scarf

Used a pattern from the latest Twilley's book for the scarf and fingerless mittens. Had too much yarn left so decided to make a hat.

Used guidelines from the Handy Book of Knitting Patterns and added a trio of knitted flowers to match the mits.

'Twas the night before christmas

Two very excited little girls are sleeping soundly and dreaming about what will be waiting for them tomorrow. How I love Christmas at the moment with all the magic that it entails for very young children!

Not posted much lately due to lots of kid-related commitments - nativities, parties and lots of other festive events going on. Not to mention christmas shopping, writing cards and wrapping pressies.

Anyway here are a couple of pics of recent FOs

Socks! From left to right: leftover Opan Hundertwasser made a nice pair of mismatched socks and Lorna's Laces flamingo stripe (single skein) made the second pair.

And here are a couple of nice sweaters! My first attempt at a seamless sweater on the left (with second attempt at fair isle!) and a sloppy joe knitted by Grandma on the right.

Merry Xmas War Is Over

Sockwars has finished. Mama Sockster won it.... just.. my first class UK postcard was conveniently delayed. Hmm

Anyway... I shall seek vengeance in the next one!