Thursday 27 June 2013

What Next?

Now that my studying and exams are all out of the way, it's time to think about a new challenge.

I've decided I need to brush up on my Latin - it would be a shame to forget all that has been studied in the past.  With this in mind I recently treated myself to some Latin books.



What fun!

And when I get stuck I've always got the English versions to help me out


- not cheating at all!

Monday 24 June 2013

Where Has the Floor Gone?

First, Grace came back with a significant amount of STUFF (see the post, here).

Then Eve came back and her STUFF was dumped in the dining room.


I've tidied most of that away, but then... the next instalment of Grace's STUFF arrived.


I've lost the floor in the dining room - and the worrying thing is - there is still more STUFF to come!

HELP!!!!!!!!!!

Saturday 22 June 2013

Sleeves - Again!

I seem to have an obsession with sleeves at the moment.

This time I turned my attention to a cardigan I made back in March 2010.  The pattern was Oaksike by Louisa Harding.

See the original post, here
I do love this cardigan - the yarn still looks as good as new, the colour is incredibly versatile for my wardrobe, the cardigan is an excellent fit - apart from the sleeves...


I find that the sleeves are too loose.  There is no shaping to the sleeves so the cuffs tend to be a bit floppy.

Three years on from the making, I want this cardigan to be the best and so the sleeves have now had a reknit.


I cast on 20 less stitches than the pattern calls for and increased gradually up the arm.  I now have a wonderfully fitted cuff and a shapely sleeve.


I can now declare the cardigan perfect!


Time now, I think, to move on from this obsession with sleeves.

Tuesday 18 June 2013

Seamless Cardi Revisited

Remember the seamless cardigan I made a few weeks ago?

See details here

I had some reservations at the time - and they have niggled and nagged at me ever since.

I knew it was only a matter of time before I reknitted the sleeves - as it turns out sooner rather than later.


So much happier with these sleeves.  I don't know why I ever thought I would be satisfied with short sleeves!

These are knitted bottom-up, flat, not in-the-round, and with a nicely shaped and seamed sleeve head.  The traditional ways are sometimes the best.


I'll write up the pattern and post it in the next few weeks.


Wednesday 12 June 2013

Grace is Back

Thank you for your kind messages of support for my exam.

My thoughts are with anyone out there who is sitting exams at the moment - what a stressful time.

The exam went (well?) - it went and that's the main thing - so now it's time to catch up on the housework and the pile of ironing!

Just about got the house straight this morning when Grace returned home for the summer.


And this is not all of her stuff.  A van has been hired to bring the rest of her belongings home next weekend.  Where are we going to put it all?

And then, next week Eve comes home for the summer - we need elastic walls.

Monday 10 June 2013

Freedom - it's nearly mine!

Tomorrow I sit, what will probably be my last exam ever, ever.  I've no plans to carry on with formal studying beyond tomorrow.  I've been studying with the Open University since 1986!  I've studied arts courses- literature and history; I've studied the classics - Latin and Greek; I've studied maths and I've studied sciences - and lately I've been studying geology.

I've mostly done it for the fun of it - but I've run out of courses I want to study and it would be lovely to have a break.

I will never give up learning - it's what life is all about - but formal studying could be all over tomorrow.

One last day of frantic revision (panic) and then, jump for joy...


...freedom is mine.

I feel a Tigger moment coming over me!


Tuesday 4 June 2013

Jellyfish

What wonderful weather - hot, sunny and very happy.

You can tell it's warmed up - the jellyfish are plentiful at the beach.



A Jumbo Jellyfish





A Jelly Mould?

Wave Patterns in the Sand

A Beached Jellyfish

Early in the morning, before the sun worshippers are out, it's a beautiful, peaceful place to be.

Liverpool Docks and the Iron Men

Watching the shipping coming and going from the port.



Can you see Wales in the background?
And my first paddle of the year!

Next time I'll take my shoes off!

Monday 3 June 2013

Textile Taxidermy

Isn't it a wonderful feeling when inspiration takes hold.

One minute you're just sitting there, flicking through a magazine, the next minute, you're off on an exciting adventure, fuelled by the seed of an idea that's growing so fast you can hardly keep up with it.

I love these moments.  Fortunately, life is full of inspiration, so they happen quite often.

The latest of these moments occurred when I was leafing through Pretty Nostalgic magazine.


If you haven't heard of this publication before I can highly recommend it.  Such an interesting read.  Check out the website, here.

Anyway, I came across an interesting article, on crafted birds and animals... and it got me thinking.



Look at this picture of the owl...


... I could make something like this - but with yarn rather than fabric.

A knitted body - with a textured front - cables, honeycombs.


Fair Isle for the back and wings.



I could use icords threaded with wires for the feet.


Some crochet and buttons for the eyes.


An icord for the beak.


Collect together all the bits and bobs of brown and beige yarn I can find - put it all together and here he is.




My very own textile taxidermy wise old owl.

What a fun week it's been making him.  Bring on the next inspiring idea.