Rabbiting On..........

2011-09-08T21:24:00.004+01:00

Whooooooooooooooosh (part 1)...

Ok....so that's the sound of a quarter of the year passing by since my last post. I have been busy with work and other things and just plain kept forgetting to log onto here and post pics of my finishes. There have been a few, so I won't bore you with a lot of chat about them just the pics and details of what they are if that's ok with you!

I'll start with the socks....since April there have been 12 pairs of socks knitted.

In order from Left to Right.

Guinevere Socks by Margrete Dolff published in Issue 15 of Yarn Forward knitted in The Knitting Goddess 'Diana Goddess'.
Heelless Sleeping Socks by Nacy Bush published in Knitting Favorite Socks, knitted in Three Irish Girls Kells Sport merino in Alchemy.
I Love Gansey by Janine Le Cras published in Sock Club; Join the Knitting Adventure knitted in The Knitting Goddess 4ply Luxury Sockyarn in semi solid slate.
Joy (a genius with dye) by Rachel Coopey published in Coop Knits knitted in The Knitting Goddess self striping sock yarn in Patriot.

Kai-Mei by Cookie A published in Sock Innovation, knitted in The Knitting Goddess Merino/Bamboo in Agate.
Labyrinth by Wendy D Johnson published in Socks From the Toe-Up, knitted in Three Irish Girls Kells Sport Merino in Madigan.
Manly Aran Socks by Wendy D Johnson published in Toe-Up Socks for Everybody, knitted in The Knitting Goddess BFL Superwash in Semi Solid Charcoal.
Nine to Five Socks by Nicole Hindes published in All Buttoned Up, knitted in The Knitting Goddess Merino/Bamboo in Ruby.

On Hold Socks by Wendy D Johnson published in Socks From the Toe-Up, knitted in The Knitting Goddess BFL Superwash in semi solid Turquoise.
Pulsations Socks by Amy King, published in Spunky Eclectic, knitted in Ba T'at Yarns Sock Yarn in Daffodil.
Quickie Socks by Susan Lawrence published in the Joy of Sox, knitted in Woolcraft Aran Knitting colour 811.
Rib Fantastic Socks by Barb Brown, published in Knitting Socks with Handpainted Yarn, knitted in The Knitting Goddess merino superwash sock yarn in Indian Summer.

I hope you can excuse the lack of links for all the details but it would have taken for-ev-er! I've provided as much info as I can. Some of the yarns are now discontinued and I've had them since 2008!

Part two to follow where it will be all about shawls....

Til then, take care and feel free to Rabbit On.....

2011-04-27T22:46:00.002+01:00

Escape to the Country...
We have come away to our favourite place....the Lake District. We couldn't have chosen better weather if we'd tried (not that you can chose it but you know what I mean).
Yesterday we went to visit my most favourite spot up there and indeed anywhere....the gorgeous Moss Eccles Tarn which is where I scattered Bunny. Previously owned by Beatrix Potter and now owned by the National Trust, I thought is an apt place for her to be.
The first photo is taken with my sunglasses over the lens for dramatic effect!

This is taken from the spot we always visit and dip a hand into the tarn to say hello to Bunny! Isn't is a gorgeous place?

This is taken to the left of the above shot, looking out towards the path up to Wise Een tarn. This part of Lakeland is so pretty...not many mountains around but pretty nonetheless.

We are staying in the Langdale Hotel, in Elterwater in one of the Romantic Gothic rooms which is just my kind of colouring! We've stayed before and it is very nice and there is a great pub round the corner that sells you baskets of chips which are just what you need after a day fellwalking.

Speaking of fells....one of the main reasons we visit the Lake District is to walk the Wainwrights. There are 214 of them and we are over halfway. One of the fells I've wanted to walk up for a long time is Crinkle Crags, but a broken foot, foot operation and bad weather have stalled us on this...so imagine my joy when today, in beautiful April sunshine, we managed to get up there.

You can see Crinkle Crags in this picture taken from the valley below.

It is quite a long walk through the valley before you start to climb, and climb, and climb! My poor legs didn't know what had hit them and my inhaler was handily store in my walking bag but was thankfully only used the once!

After the first Crinkle, you descent to the bottom of the second Crinkle and one of the routes up is up and over the 'Bad Step'. There is an alternative route for those who don't want to scramble or can't quite make it up there. The photo doesn't really show how big the thing is, although if you look closely you can see two people at the top for scale.

The way up is to the right of the fallen chock stones which block the gully, it's the part on the photo that looks like a vertical slab of rock....because that's essentially what it is, 10 foot tall. Compare to the daring rocks that seasoned climbers scale, this is nothing, but for the humble walker, it's a bit of a challenge!

We then moved over the Crinkles (five in total) and up onto Bowfell which is one that Hubby has wanted to do for a while and a name he seems to quote when looking at almost any fell in the area...at least now he knows where it is!

It was a please walk down back into the valley and as usual, our favourite sheep adorned the fields. Herwick sheep should be outlawed for being too cute...don't you agree?

This lovely 'mama' and her lamb posed well for us and seemed to be enjoying the sunshine, unlike these two who wanted the shade....bless....

And if you think the real thing is cute, just check out Herdy to see even cuter things. We'll be popping in tomorrow before returning home.

So after a hard day's walking, I had a lovely bowl of homemade Leek and potato soup and a basket of chips, and then treated my self to a 20 minute manicure at the hotel spa....the first manicure I've had in my 37yrs!

I hope you've enjoyed the pics...as ever, please feel free to Rabbit On....

2011-04-15T19:00:00.000+01:00

G is for Guinevere...

I have managed to knit my 7th pair of socks this year. I've had this pattern for a while now and new I wanted to knit them as soon as I bought the magazine. (Yarn Forward # 15) I also knew that when the Goddess Diana yarn arrived through my letterbox in January 2010, that it was destined to be turned into a pair of these socks.
Fast forward to April 2011 and I am mightily pleased with the yarn/pattern combo!

What do you think? And yes, those are my rather pale legs on show for once....I don't know what came over me....Here's a more pleasing shot....

The unusual construction of the sock made for a new challenge but they fit really well on the foot and I do like the i-cord cuff.

I am off out to Baa Ram Ewe tomorrow to learn how to become a hooker! I am soooooooooo excited...I am rubbish when it comes to crochet and as I have a lot of yarn, and as crochet uses a lot of it and can be quicker than knitting, then I thought I'd give it a go. I'll report back on how I've got on....

Till then...have a good weekend and feel free to Rabbit On....

2011-04-10T21:29:00.001+01:00

Spring is in the Air....
I love this time of year, in the run up to Easter....everything starts to look pretty again and the sunshine isn't too hot, although the last few days have been the exception!
I love how the shops start trimming up for Easter which brings out a lot of lovely colourful window displays in lilacs, pale greens, pinks, blues and lemons, and bunnies, lambs, eggs and chicks appear in the shape of chocolate, ornaments and cuddly toys.
April is also the time to start titivating your garden before all the plants regrow, so I've had a busy weekend re-staining the arbour that we have at the end of the garden. All in all in took me 6½ hours over two days to get it done.
So, as I opened up my living room curtains this morning and looked out into my garden, it was lovely to see the sunshine and how the various plants and trees are starting to grow again. I thought I'd capture it in a photo, and then I thought beyond that and have decided to take a picture of it every month to see how it changes over the year.
This is what my garden looks like now....

The pots on the decking have some red onions in and have just started to poke through the soil. It will be the first time I've grown onions and I am interested to see how they turn out.

We were very lucky to inherit this garden when we bought the house four years ago...we'd never have gotten it as nice as this if it had been left up to us! To be honest it was one of the things that made us by the house.

The only addition we've made is to add a conservatory which is to the right of the picture and that houses our dining room, leaving me the old dining room as a second reception room. As it has French doors which open onto the decking it feels more like a sun room than a living room and is everyone's favourite room in the whole house.

I picked up some treats for hubby and I when I went shopping this weekend......Hubby said 'I like these kinds of ornaments' as I've placed these pretties on the mantlepiece....wonder how long they will last...

It's an old jar that I had saved from a couple of Christmases ago when my friend bought me some pear drops and I had a little piece of ribbon in my odds and sods box that I thought went well with the colours of the eggs! Nom, Nom, Nom....

I hope you've all had a great weekend...until next time, please feel free to Rabbit On...

2011-04-04T15:17:00.001+01:00

F is for Fair Isle....
I have finished my Fair Isle Socks...they took a little bit longer than I thought they would but I think some of that was down to the fact that I was busy at work during the two week period that the 'F' socks encompassed.

Do you like them? Aren't the colours just wonderful? The main colour is Knitting Goddess merino/bamboo in the March Birthstone Club colourway of Aquamarine and it it such a pretty colour...one I wouldn't have bought myself truth be told. That's the wonderful thing about sock yarn clubs, you get colours that are out of your comfort zone!
The contrast colour is Colinette Jitterbug in the Kingfisher colourway. Again, the colours are really pretty in real life. I loved this when I saw it in the skein at the i-knit weekender in London last year. The good thing is I have enough of this yarn left to make a pair of fingerless mitts so I'll get more lovely, prettiness out of it!

The pattern is Fair Isle Socks in the Toe-Up Socks for Every Body: Adventurous Lace, Cables, and Colorwork from Wendy Knits.
Such pretty colours would be perfect for Spring....but these socks are very thick! The sole feels padded almost, so they will be saved for very cold days when my tootsies need to be kept extra warm.

I have now cast on my G socks....they are called Guinevere and are a rather unusual design so I will keep you updated with those if I manage to finish them on time...this Saturday!

A quick update this time...more knitting to share soon, until then take care and feel free to Rabbit On...

2011-03-22T16:25:00.004Z

Goodbye Winter....Hello Spring....

It's that wonderful time of year where we say goodbye to the last throes of Winter and start to welcome in Spring. I am particularly fond of this time of year as there are still cold days about, but they are sunshine filled and very good for the soul.....gone is the dreariness of dark, damp and dull evenings....

I love Winter Sun, much more than Summer sun. I prefer the blue skies of Winter to the blue skies of Summer and I prefer the cooler temperature....I'm afraid I wilt in the heat of the Summer.

This weekend the Hubby and I were owed a couple of days off from work so we took the chance to spend them together, which is quite a rarity these days due to our ridiculous working hours pattern....but I digress.

We decided to go out walking and made a short break out of our plans.

We drove up to Runswick Bay, a place neither of us had been to before. We stayed in a hotel recommended by a colleague, Cliff Mount and we had a lovely view of the bay.

We set off on our walk which took us along the Cleveland Way, on the coastal path, up to Staithes. We sat and had our lunch at Staithes harbour....not a lot there due to the time of year, but gorgeous never-the-less as you can see below.

We then left Staithes, whilst chomping on the first ice-cream of the year...a delectable combo of vanilla and ginger with black cherry....hmmmmmmmmmm

In total, we only did five miles, but they were a lovely five miles. Back to the hotel for a cup of mocha and a bit of knitting looking out over the bay.

Isn't it a lovely view? The food was gorgeous and all in all we had a great stay.

We left Runswick the next morning and drove down the coast road to Fylingdales Moor where we embarked on another walk. There had been a lot of deforestation since the walk was written, so we did go a bit wrong and ended up walking 9½ miles instead of 7½ mile, but when you are surrounded by wonderful countryside, it doesn't really matter does it?!

On that day our coffee spot was at a the seat of a very old monument, the Lilla Cross.

Lilla Cross at Fylingdales Moor, North Yorkshire.

We then took the road home via the North Yorkshire Moors and topped off a pleasant weekend's outing by popping into a McDonald's and revelling in the bliss that is McLatte! I'm lovin' it!

Then onto today, when, as I was closing the back garden gate after the window cleaner had been....and no that isn't the beginning of a plot line for some novel about a torrid affair with a window cleaner....I noticed some lady birds on the newel post of our decking.

Then as I started to wander around with the camera, I noticed that we had a few more on one of our shrubs...

And then I saw some more on another of those shrubs at the other side of the path...

Aren't they wonderful creatures? I think they are so pretty. In total we had over 30 ladybirds in our garden today...due to have a lot more judging by the behaviour of some of them...Spring most definately is here.

I'm now sat in the garden, enjoying the last few hours of the sun, watching the rather large butterflies flitting about looking for somewhere to land and soak up the sun. I hope everyone else has their little piece of Springy sunshine to sit out in.....

Sending ♥ to everyone....please feel free to Rabbit On.....

2011-03-13T23:27:00.001Z

E is for Escher....
I have finished my E socks, the fifth part of the UK Sock Knitters A-Z-a-long on Ravelry. When I started this challenge, I thought that I might knit a few pairs of the socks along the way...I didn't think that I'd manage to do the whole challenge of 26 pairs in the year.
So...I am rather pleased with my self and my little 2.25mm Knit Pro Symphonie circular needles for 'turning out' 5 pairs of socks by 13th March!

Without further ado, I present Escher Socks.

The pattern comes from Knitting Socks with Handpainted Yarn and it is one of my favourite sock books. I think it is a really interesting read and I love the section where it explains how yarns pool and how you can change the way they do in fact pool.

I already had the book when I purchased the yarn. It was a sock club yarn, a cashmere/merino/nylon mix by the Knitting Goddess in the colourway Speckled Egg.

The socks only took 62g of yarn and they were a quite simple knit, however, I do have to admit that I began to suffer from a bit of boredom on the foot of the second sock. It seemed to take forever!

I've also been busy this month with knitting my 3rd shawl for the knit 11 shawls in 2011 challenge.

The yarn is yet another Knitting Goddess sock club yarn, this time merino/nylon in the Goddess Ops colourway.

Ops is a fertility goddess and is very much linked to all things 'earthy' so I wanted that to reflect in the choice of pattern. I therefore used a lace pattern from a shawl called Wheatsheaf Shawl from Issue 28 of the knitting magazine called Yarn Forward. It is a KAL media publication, but has recently changed it's name to Knit.

This shawl unfortunately, is not staying with me. It is being gifted to my mum's cousin's wife as a present from my mum. I told her that I had yarn to use up and wanted to knit some shawls but that as I also had over 10 of my own, maybe I could do with knitting some up to give away. It's somewhat typical then, that the one I knit first, I actually want to keep! lol

I love the colours and am happy with how this worked out.

My next installment of the mystery blanket has arrived so from the 15th onwards I'll be knitting on the next 5 squares. I'm still plugging away at a cushion cover for my mum for mother's day and I am really enjoying it. I am ¾ of the way up the front.

I've also just cast on my 'F' socks, so once again this rabbit's needles are going to be smoking.

I hope all is well out there in blogland and send out my thoughts and wishes to anyone who has been affected by the Earthquake and Tsunami in Japan....

Until next time, take care and please feel free to Rabbit On.....

2011-03-04T19:14:00.000Z

D is for Diamonds and Cables....
My D socks are done and at last I have some purple socks!!!! I adore purple and have lots of purpley things but not some handknitted socks....until now.

These are Diamonds and Cables by Wendy D Johnson and are from the rather lovely Toe-Up Socks for Every Body: Adventurous Lace, Cables, and Colorwork from Wendy Knits.
This book has a number of patterns in it that I want to knit and although this pattern didn't immediately scream out at me, when I got the yarn, I knew they were meant for each other.
The yarn in my Knitting Goddess Birthstone sockclub yarn in the colourway Amethyst in the merino/bamboo mix.
I am really pleased that I am keeping up with this knit-a-long as I didn't think I'd be able to...26 pairs of socks in a year is a big challenge!
I have now cast on my E socks in a lovely cashmere mix yarn and will post my HD when they are done, hopefully in another week or so.
I have also cast on a shawl for my mum's cousin's wife...it is a mixture of two shawls and again I'll update when I finish it which will be in a few days if all goes to plan.

I had a rather lovely day out in Ilkley on Monday. I took a Knit up your Stash course at the rather wonderful Create This is one of my favourite yarn shops. The staff are soooooooooo nice and helpful and very friendly, it's just such as shame that it's a 90 mile round trip for me or I would be in there more often!
The course was run by the equally fab Debbie Abrahams. To be honest, I didn't really need to go....despite having a rather large stash, it isn't made up of odd balls of yarn, it is made up of garment quantities or of sock yarns. However, I love attending Debbie's classes and I did have left overs from my mystery blanket from last year and wanted to use them for a cushion cover. I could have done this at home without any help, but by going to the course it made me start it and because I keep feeling a bit run down lately, it was just great to have an easy day out spent knitting with a group of nice people in a lovely setting....'nuff said.
I have booked to go on another course in July, one that involves knitting a little beaded project, again something I don't need as I can use beads in knitting quite easily, but it will be another great day out for me and as it's in Ilkley, I can visit the shop at Betty's again!

I bought some lovely Sublime Soya cotton yarn in some neutral colours and will knit mum a cushion cover for Mother's Day, so I had a little s.e.x too.....bonus.....

I've just come back from an hour's walk in the late evening Winter sun....it is quite cool out there but I love walking in weather like that as you get that wonderful 'rosy cheeks' glow....

I hope everyone had a great weekend and managed some knitting/stitching or both, take care and feel free to Rabbit On....

2011-02-16T15:54:00.000Z

C is for Cable Rib Socks...
Well I can hardly believe it, but I have managed to finish my third pair of socks this year. I am keeping up with the Alphabetalong on Ravely and I am really enjoying it. Not only have I managed to used up three skeins of yarn, but I've also got three rather natty pairs of socks!

They are called Cable Rib Socks and are by Erica Alexander and can be found in either

Interweave Knits Spring 2005 or indeed from where I got them pattern, Favorite Socks, which is also published by Interweave Knits.

The yarn is Solemate by Violet Green in the colourway, Blueberry and Lime. I knew this yarn would need a fairly simple pattern and I think it has turned out well with the simple rib and cables. I really like them even though they are a bit 'funky' looking.

I knit most of them whilst I was on holiday in the Lake District last week...amazing how much time I had since I didn't have a mobile phone signal, nor broadband!

I also managed to start the shawl I mentioned in a previous post, but then realised I had gone wrong so had to start again. It is however, a very quick knit (if you don't get confused by the i-cord edging like I did) and once I'd realised my mistake, I steamed ahead with it and it is now being blocked. I'll post a pic when it's finished blocking.

This will be my second shawl of the year...and another skein of yarn used...which makes up room for the five I just bought! Naughty, Naughty...

I've now cracking on with my February Squares for my mystery blanket and my D socks...more info on both when I finish them...

Until then feel free to Rabbit On....

2011-02-02T10:15:00.000Z

B is for Bacchus...
I have finished my socks for the letter B in the Alphabet-a-long. They are a pattern called Bacchus by Alice Bell and were published in the Fall 2008 issue of Interweave Knits
They are the main reason that I bought that issue. They should have bobbles all down the foot but as I don't wear open shoes a lot, I couldn't see the point in knitting bobbles only to cover them up and squash them.
The yarn is blue faced leicester from The Knitting Goddess in the colour plum. I knew when I bought this yarn that it was meant for a pair of Bacchus socks!

I love the ribbing on these socks...they make for a nice, snug fit on the foot.

I can now set about winding my yarn for my 'C' socks which will be a very bright contrast to the ones above!.

I am also going to wind of the yarn for my next shawl It is called Katika (Ravelry link I'm afraid as the designer does not have a website) and the yarn I am going to use is a silk/merino blend called Log Fire and was my November 2010 sock club yarn from the Knitting Goddess. It is blues, green and yellows like the colours in the tip of a flame on a fire.

So...I am off a-winding....feel free to Rabbit On...

2011-01-30T11:03:00.000Z

It's a mystery...oh it's a mystery...
No I haven't dropped back into the 80's and turned into Toyah! It's all about one of my latest knitting projects. Last year I joined up to the Debbie Abraham's Mystery Blanket club. Debbie is a rather lovely lady, I've met her a couple of times, and she is also very talented when it comes to designing all things 'blankety'.

You do not know the colours used or the theme when you join, but the yarn you get is all Rowan yarns so good quality. Then each month, you wait to stalk the postie and when he does arrive with your monthly package, you snatch it off him like a giddy child and ooh and ahh when you open it and see the patterns for the 5 squares that you have to knit during that month. If you have no self control, you cast one on immediately, however, you can wait as you have all month to knit the 5 squares given. Last years blanket had a theme of Beneath the Sea as you can see from the pic to the right. The squares are sent out in such a manner that it isn't totally obvious what the blanket will look like until you are about halfway through, which really keeps the enthusiasm going.
Last years involved a lot of Intarsia which I'm not so brilliant with, a lot of textured cables, beadwork, sequins and slipped stitch striped patterns.
I wasn't overly keen to begin with but as it progressed and I could mattress stitch some of the squares together, I started to love it and it now sits proudly on the spare bed in the back bedroom who's door we keep open and I can peek at it every time I go upstairs!

So that's last year's done.....and yes, I have joined up to this year's too. It is totally different both in colour and yarns used. Last years was mainly Rowan Wool Cotton, Pure Wook DK and Luxury Cotton Silk. This year's is so far mainly Rowan Cotton Glace and a new to me yarn, Rowan Purelife Revive which I have to say I adore.
This year, the blanket is also very heavily beaded so I expect it to weigh a ton when finished. The good thing about this one tho, is that the colours will match very well with either my living room or my bedroom.
You can see a sneaky preview of the first 4 completed squares below.

Click on the pic to make it bigger.
Well folks, that's it for this week's update....I have to finish my B socks so that I can cast on my C socks as I am a few days behind schedule due to working extra hours at work last week...one sock done, one done halfway up the foot.
Have a great week everyone and as ever feel free to Rabbit On....

2011-01-20T22:11:00.001Z

An Alphabet of a Different Kind....
Over on Ravelry, there is a forum for UK sock knitters, although none UK members are on there too. Someone came up with the ingenious idea of a Knit-A-Long whereby for every letter of the alphabet, you knit a pair of socks.
The way it works is that you pick a pattern that corresponds with a letter of the alphabet and you have a two week period to cast it on. The only finishing date is January 14th 2012!

So, I have decided to join it, in a moment of madness...madness as I have also decided that I am going to use the skein of sock yarn that I get each month and it might not necessarily be on a pair of socks if I don't think it will go with the pattern I've chosen for the relevant letter of the alphabet....madness because I also want to join in with the knit 11 shawls in 2011 challenge...and madness as I have already decided that I want to knit 5 cushions from Debbie Abrahams 25 Cushions to Knit book this year as well as knitting a couple of garments by Kim Hargreaves!
Oh....and I am also knitting a mystery blanket and want to do some stitching.....

Here is my sock for A....Anastasia.
They are knit using the Knitting Goddess Blue Faced Leicester in Winter Sun and I rather love them!
They are knitted from the toe up and have a short row toe and heel. They are available as a download on Ravelry but if you aren't a member of Rav and would like to knit them anyway...they are also available here.
I am now knitting a pair of fingerless mitts with the leftovers as that's also something else I've challenged myself to do this year...knit up all my left overs where possible.

Another finish for this month is a shawl I knit my MIL for her birthday.
It is knit using my Jan 2011 sock club yarn from the Knitting Goddess and is a merino/bamboo mix which I adore....it could be my favourite sock yarn base actually.

The pattern is Nancy and Judy and can be seen here.

Well, that's it for another week...feel free to Rabbit On...

2011-01-12T16:48:00.003Z

Out with the old.....
...and in with the new.....
Well hasn't it been a long time since I posted on here? 2010 kidnapped me and took me away from bloggerland...to be fair it was mainly Ravelry that took me away!
One other major thing that got in the way in 2010 was...Life....it seriously sucked me in on a number of occasions, spun me around and knocked me for six, but...I guess there is too much Doom and Gloom in this world already, so I will leave those episodes in the vault and concentrate on 2011.
I know that some of these things will follow me into 2011 with some gusto, but instead of allowing them to dictate what is going to happen this year, instead I'm just going to front them up and say 'Bring It On!'

So, as I said....Ravelry stole me away from Bloggerland and the whole world of Knitting and all things Yarny, seduced me even more than the year before and thus I didn't do a lot of stitching. Because of this, I forgot to update my blog with the things I had finished as without even using one single brain cell....I automatically uploaded them to Ravelry instead.

For those of you who are on this incredible site, you can see all my finishes here if you haven't already got me as a friend.

For those of you that are not on there, please find below a little collage of various finishes.

They include a lot of shawls as I took on the challenge of knitting 10 in 2010. The bottom 4 pictures are of the item I was most pleased with, a rather charming little jumper from the wonderful Stitch in Time Book
For once I think I found an item of clothing that suited me and it goes with various pieces from my wardrobe and will get a lot of use.

If anyone would like any info on the shawl patterns then please leave a comment and I will endeavour to give you the info you need.

Enough about knitting.....my first finish of this year sees me going back to cross stitching. It's a little piece that I've had started for years and for some stupid reason didn't finish. It's a chart from a freebie that I can't even remember where I found it. The picture isn't fab as it's in the downstairs loo and there is no natural light in there.

It's stitched on a little hand towel that has a piece of aida type fabric across the width. Of course it features bunnies....what else I hear you cry, and no I have not yet knitted a jumper with bunnies on but I guess there's time yet!
It was really nice to get back into a bit of stitching and there will be more on the horizon. I want to finally finish the Mirabilia Autumn Maiden of the Season that I have had on the go since 2009.
I would also like to get Mirabilia's Royal Holiday finished for Christmas 2011 as again, I have had this on the go for a while.
It might also be a good idea to finish the Teresa Wentzler Millennium design that is virtually done. Only a comet and part of an angel left.

So...that's a rather short(ish) update on me. I am sat in my lovely conservatory complete with underfloor heating, knitting on yet another shawl, whilst wearing a home made knitted tank top and knitted socks, catching up with the Electric Sheep podcast, wondering whether or not I will get any readers to this post or whether indeed I have just dropped of the Bloggerland radar due to being AWOL!

So, if you are out there and are reading, then I thank you for not forgetting me, and as usual wish you well and ask you to feel free to rabbit on....

2010-04-13T14:38:00.005+01:00

Finally another finish....
Again folks it has been a while since I posted to my blog. I have been taken up with the knitting side of things and as I post to Ravelry all the time about my knitting WIPs and Happy Dances, I tend to forget to post them over here too.

Well, yesterday, my stitching mojo made a brief appearance and I picked up a Shepherd's Bush Needleroll that I had started sometime last year. It's the first time that I have made anything like this....I've just oohed and ahhed at other's people's prowess in this area of Stitcingdom. I am rather pleased with the finished result.

I have another kit in my stash, the Birdhouse Needleroll complete with Birdhouse charm! The Beehive one will live in our conservatory in a wicker basket and will be rather lonesome until I finish the other one!
I do have plans to make a few small items like these, biscornu, small pillows ect and will display them all in our conservatory.
Thanks for reading folks....feel free to Rabbit on....

2009-12-29T01:05:00.004Z

Cross Stitch? What's that?...
It's been sooooooooooo long since I stitched anything let alone finish anything! I have been bitten well and truly by the knitting and yarn buying bug. Strange then that on Christmas Eve morning I got up and felt compelled to start the Country Cottage Needleworks Butterfly as shown to the left!
Well indeed I did start it and have finished it just now...
In other news....I have a house guest for five days. He is called Barney and looks like this......

He is my DH's niece's rabbit and we are bunny sitting whilst they are away for a few days. He is a cute little fellow and is settling in well. It's the first time a bunny has been in the house since the Queen of G died and to be honest, it's made me realise I don't want another on a permanent basis. Whilst Barney (or Rubble as I'm calling him!) is a sweetie, he does make me think of Bunny and I was a little sad to be honest and I knew then that Bunny cannot be replaced and that I wouldn't be comfortable being a permanent Petmum to another bunny just yet.
I will hopefully be updating this place a bit more in the future but no promises now!!!
Feel free to Rabbit On...

2009-08-20T12:19:00.002+01:00

Yarn P0rn = Yarngasms...
I've had a lot lately....a lot!It's become an addiction but I just don't care! I love fondling yarn like I love playing with stitching threads and hand dyed fabric...I think it's all to do with colour...it soothes the mind I'm sure of it. So without further ado, I introduce you to my p0rn.

I bought the yarn from the following places...in order of how they appear in the slideshow...
Kaleidoscope Yarns I got the Colinette Jitterbug, the Berroco Sox and the Cascade Cotton Rich DK from here.
Black Sheep Wools Ltd I got the Debbie Bliss Cashmerino Aran from here.
Create The Baa Tat Yarns are from here.
The Knitting Goddess My staple yarn supplier!
The Yarn YardThe purple Croft and the two Cream Sock Yarns.
The last photo is some Aran bought from a lcalish mill shop.
I am off to a Yarn Tasting event tonight at Baa Ram Ewe, so the s.e.x may continue...

2009-08-07T12:45:00.003+01:00

Wake up and smell the coffee pot...
That what happened in Chez Scully yesterday morning. There we were, sleeping due to a late night, when the postie presses the doorbell. At first I set out a 'Squee' as I was thinking it could be some Yarn P0rn, but I could tell by how quiet DH was when he took receipt of the parcel from downstairs that it wasn't (he's trained to yell if it is!).
He brought up a large box which was very light and which also had on it the name of a very lovely couple we know. With a quizzical look on both our faces, I opened the box to reveal a cafetiere....the one you can see in the below pic.

SO what's so special I hear you all say...well this lovely couple ran a most fantabulous B&B in the Lake District...I am sure you've heard me mention it. The cafetiere was a star attraction for me at breakfast time (not distracting from the wonderful home baked bread and aga cooked rostis of course..) The was just 'something' about the 'whoosh' it made when you sank the plunger that was so satisfying. I was provided with the name of the company where it had been purchased but they didn't offer an online service and despite searching many a shop in various places, it always resulted in the same disappointment...nothing compared...
Now this lovely couple have sold their fantaulous B&B much to DH and I's chargrin, but hey, let's not be selfish...people have a right to move on in their lives..especially lovely people.
Now they have settled just outside the Lakes, they have sent DH and I one of their cafetieres...and I can tell you, that 'whoosh' is no less satisfying than I can remember...our morning coffee lives are complete...
So, thank you to the lovely couple, Lorraine and Rob I will think back to our times at Fair Rigg with fondness and will indeed enjoy many a perfect coffee break....

2009-08-05T18:51:00.007+01:00

Pram Buddies and Chocolate Caramel Shortbred....

What more does a girl need in life?
Remember my Mint Choc Chip Ishbel Shawl? Well I had some yarn left over and I thought I'd make some little pram buddies for my friend's newborn daughter.
So, without further ado, introducing from left to right....The Sockyarn Buddies©

Pepper, Coco and Minty.
The patterns used can be found in Jean Greenhowe's Knitted Animals Leaflet.
Originally the patterns use DK yarn, but all I did was change the needle size to a sock yarn size and I adapted the patterns to be knit in the round. They are seriously cute in real life if I say so myself and I had trouble parting with them today when I gave them to baby Annabella!

Last Thursday saw me attend my first knit night at Baa Ram Ewe It's a bit of a way to travel but I really enjoyed myself and met some really nice people. I am going again tomorrow night which brings me onto the shortbred mentioned above...
I have recently found a wonderful blog, namely Attic24. Lucy takes some STUNNING photographs and her crochet and other craftwork is no less amazing either. I find her blog a real inspiration and generally a great 'cheerer upper!'.
Well....Lucy posted some pictures of some gorgeous shortbred that she had made and generously posted the recipe. Now hear this...I am no baker, can I tell you that, but I thought I'd have a go yesterday in order that I can take some to knit night.
This is the result...

All I can say is mmmmmmmmmmmmm and . They taste seriously good...and all who have tasted them so far have asked for seconds!!! The caramel is divine. They are laden with calories, but I don't care!!! Batch two are being made tomorrow so that I can feed my work colleagues on Friday night, so if you fancy having a go, head over to Lucy's blog, pull up a chair and have a and prepare to be inspired.

In other knitting news, I have started a pair of Zigzag Anklets from Knitted Socks from Hand Painted Yarn This is a great book and I have already knit a pair of socks from it and have many more I want to knit. I am using a Merino/Tencel blend yarn from The Knitting Goddess in a sock club colour called Snail Corner.

This yarn is so soft it's beautiful. They are knitting up really well and will be a lovely light sock to be worn on warmer days. It is part of the August KAL in the UK sock knitters group on Ravelry.
That's it for now folks...I have more to share but it will keep until another day. Till then, take care and as ever feel free to Rabbit On....

2009-07-25T11:23:00.002+01:00

What's your Rainbow?...

Your rainbow is strongly shaded indigo and brown.

What is says about you: You are a proud person. You appreciate the roughness of nature. Friends count on you for being honest and insightful. You feel closer to people when you understand their imperfections.

Find the colors of your rainbow at spacefem.com.

I found this quiz on I'd Rather be stitching and thought I'd have a go...I found it quite interesting.

2009-07-24T20:55:00.005+01:00

I'll have a large scoop please...
I had a finish on the needles yesterday, my Mint Choc Chip Ishbel

This is how it looked prior to it being blocked!

This is how it looks in the two ways in which I will wear it. And yes a rare glimpse of me!!!!!
It was originally intended for mum, but when I saw the size of it, I think she will prefer the larger size so I will make one in a different colour for her and I will nab this one.
If I havn't mentioned before it is knit in Mint Choc Chip 4ply BFL by the Knitting Goddess and was a Ltd Edition yarn.
I posted a pic of my finish on Joy's Forum on Ravelry and to quote her she described the way that the yarn had knit up as
it’s like drizzles of chocolate sauce

As I said at the beginning of the post....I'll have a large scoop please...

2009-07-22T15:02:00.006+01:00

Oooooh Betty...
Well actually it's more like Mmmmmmm Betty's! DH and I went to Betty's in Harrogate as a bit of a pick me up for me as I have felt yacky since the tonsils* were whipped out. It was my first time visiting Betty's and it wasn't a disappointment. It is so decadent and dainty and has a very special ambience to it. The staff are wonderful and the service 5 star. For those who know of it I and have been I am sure you agree, and for those who havn't experienced Betty's yet, I highly recommend it. I know it ain't cheap, but as a special treat you really can't beat the indulgence. It also has a shop attached which meant we had to buy something...

The biscuit type things in the packet are called Fat Rascals and they are to die for...seriously. They are like a scone, made with citrus peel, topped with cherry and almond. I do like my cakes, but I find half of a warm one with olive oil spread is delicious and enough!
The bag now holds one of my current knitting WIPs....Ishbel by Ysolda Teague. If you are on Ravelry you will know just how popular Ishbel is as well as the designer Ysolda. I am making this for my mum's 60th in August and am using a Ltd Edition Mint Choc Chip BFL yarn by The Knitting Goddess
So far so good...I am knitting the small size and am on the second lace section. It's a quick knit as I only stared it last night. I am as we speak knitting away on it in between paragraphs!

So onto things I have been up to since my last post. I have been buying more yarn and am excitingly awaiting some yarn p0rn from a site I just came across whilst on Ravelry. They are called Three Irish Girls . Their website was soooooooooooooooooooo seductive! I had a look at the brochure and I instantly got sucked in to the wonderful colourways. I can't speak for the quality of the yarn yet, but it is highly commended on Rav. I have ordered Grady, Madigan, Maeve, Maura, Clodagh, Florry and Nora in various weights and will post pics as soon as I get my grubby paws on them!

I have finished a couple of things too, namely...

The first ones are Pomatomus by Cookie A and are knit with Ocean Blue BFL by the Knitting Goddess. The second pair were knit as part of a Wimbledon Knitting challenge on the Knitting Goddess forum on Rav. The rules were simple...cast on when Wimbledon started, cast off when it ended. I didn't quite manage to finish on time due to the tonsillectomy* but they were finished fairly soon after. I used the Knitting Goddess Violet Meadow BFL as I thought the colours were very SW19! It is a freebie pattern from Wendy D Johnson called Feather and Fan.

I have also finished a couple of gifts...

The first pic shows a hat that I finished a while ago. I have recently finished the scarf as a companion piece. They will be going to my friend Jax for Christmas. They are really warm so I hope she likes them.

And finally...I also finished a baby cardigan for another friend who has recently given birth to a girl. I know that 'mum' likes bright colours so know she will appreciate the colour of the yarn. It is Hobby Print by Rico.

Well, that's it, oh except for the * you may have noticed. The tonsils did come out, it was like eating glass for a few days and has turned into the feeling you have when you get a bad sore throat. I have another week off work and then I will hopefully be fit and well again.
Later guys....

2009-06-21T20:42:00.004+01:00

Yayyyyy...the Tonsils WILL come out....
Finally I have got my date for my Tonsillectomy! Whoop Whoop! Fingers crossed on 7th July, the little puss encrusted monsters will be gone. Maybe food will start to taste good again and yawning won't be such a chore.
I can't grumble tho, I can still go for a run, do my training, walking etc. In fact I feel much worse on days when I don't do some form of exercise...it's like my throat gets it's own back on me for making it work harder when breathing during the exercise
Speaking of running...I went for a 10k this morning. I had wanted to enter the Run for All but didn't know when I'd be having my op, and I didn't want to take up a place and then not be able to do it. So, this morning I thought I'd be there in spirit and did a 10k of my own. It was hot, hot, hot but I did it and felt better for doing so...and it meant I could have some jelly and ice-cream at a family do this afternoon

My Summer Maiden went up on the wall today. You might not be able to tell from the photo, but the frame is walnut colour. I like her and love the frame but am not so sure how summery she is, but that's down to the design, not the frame choice. I think she looks more Autumnal, but then when you compare her to the Autumn Maiden, she does look more summery!
She will be on my wall until 21st Sept, so I should hopefully be able to stitch the Autumn Maiden in time...who knows...
I am cracking on with my mum's owl in the meantime...mindless half cross stitch on aida, but I am enjoying it. I have a lot to do tho before the middle of August, so I guess I should finish up here and go do some stitching...

2009-06-14T21:14:00.004+01:00

Lazing on a Sunday Afternoon...
It's been a really nice, sunny day today where I am, I hope it has been for you too. However, despite the title, I actually havn't been lazing about. It's my last day off before I go back to work tomorrow and I had to spend some of it doing chores!
My shifts are so rubbish at the mo, that chores have had to be moved mainly to my days off...bugger bugger...
So, I dutifully iron some of DH's shirts and my Super King Size bedding which is a beast!!! I then got down on hands and knees to scrub the rug and carpet with cleaning foam, and once it dried, vacuumed those and the kitchen floor and hall floor.
I then had a bit of a stitching hour before doing my training on my new toy...EA Sports Active
It's great. I am doing the 30 day challenge which basically ahs you training for two days then a day off and so on and so on. It is a really good work out.
Speaking of training, my little Nike+ mini me over there to the left had a bit of a shock the other day...I went out for a run and ended up doing 7.17miles!
I know there will be lots of folk out there who will think that distance is piffle, but to a girl like me who has big hips and large boobage, it's a great achievement. I have NEVER run that for in my life before. I have done a couple of 10ks and obvioulsy go on long walks, but never run that distance before. The main thing for me was, I got in and immediately rang DH to tell him and he couldn't tell that I had been running!
Anyhoo....onto more interesting things for you all...
I picked up my Rabbit Run Sampler from the framers on Saturday. I am really pleased that I finally finished it and as always adore the frame. It works so well with all my rabbity pieces. Forgive the line in the picture, it's clear glass so picked out the fridge opposite! It's hung in the kitchen with the two pics of Scully I had framed and my Eva Rosenstand Three Rabbits (the wall is not that wall anymore!)and my RSPCA Give us a cuddle
I also picked up my Mira Summer Maiden but I'll post a pic of her next week as she is to replace Spring Maiden on 21st June.
One last pic before I go. It's my latest knitting WIP. Pomatomus by Cookie A. I am using Ocean Blue BFL by The Knitting Goddess. I really love this pattern so far and when I bought that yarn, the colour screamed 'Pomatomus' at me so I thought it would be rude to ignore it!
Ohhh and other exciting news...I am off to see a-ha again....let's hope this time around I won't be on crutches! lol.......

2009-06-03T14:38:00.010+01:00

What do you mean 'it's June?'....
It is a while since I last updated yet it feels like only last week!
I have finished quite a few things since my last update and have bought a lot more sock yarn!
Rather than do a weekly round up for the last couple of months, I'll just post the stuff I've finished! The first picture is a pair of socks called Blackrose. They were in the Winter 08 issue of Knitty. I used a lovely yarn in a Morello colourway from Violet Green Yarns. In fact, they are so nice I just blumming ordered five skeins when I went to link the site to this post!

This was made with some Raspberry Same Difference yarn from the Knitting Goddess Joy asked some knitters off her group on Ravelry if they would like to knit some samples of her yarn in order that she can take them to shows. I decided on the hat and she sent me the SD yarn. It is a lovely yarn and the pattern was very easy and will definately be knit again, once for a hat for me and another for DBro.

I then finished a pair of Monekeys by Cookie A. I had knit one sock a while ago and DH bugged me until I knit the other! The pic is taken on Hallin Fell, Howton, Cumbria on our Anniversary. I really like the contrast between the rock and the sock. It's on a monument on the summit but we don't know what the roses were for.

I referred to these in my last post. They are knit using a yarn from Gothic Yarns They are a very sweet pattern and I really enjoyed using this yarn. I have three more colours in my stash. They are one of my favourite pairs.

I love these socks! They are knit in another Violet Green yarn, this time Harlequin Socrates. The pattern is fantastic and I think it goes marvellously with the yarn. They are a really sturdy sock, a pair I will wear frequently!

And finally...but not lastly as I already have new socks on the needles...my latest finish is these Pink Ribbon Socks by Lisa Lloyd I used another Knitting Goddess yarn, this time a Semi-Solid in cerise. I used a twisted stocking stitch for the sock rather than either of the two stitches on the pattern as I wanted something plainish to show off the ribbons. I am really pleased with the result.

As you can see, I have been busy lol! I have also completed a couple of cross stitch projects, my Rabbit Run Sampler and my Summer Maiden. They are both in at the framers so will post pics when I get them back.
I have now started a new project, Twilight's Child by Anchor which is an owl. My mum loves owls and I hope to get it done for her 60th birthday in August.
Apart from that, I am still waiting for my tonsuls out and I am still bunnyless, but they are both WIPs...

2009-03-26T22:21:00.005Z

Round Up Three...
I can't quite believe that I have completed three rounds of my rotation already. I also think it's the longest I've stuck to a rotation! As mentioned in a previous post, Week One saw the completion of my Flutter-by socks.
Week Two saw me finish the row of cabbages on my Rabbit Run Sampler. As you can see from the pic, I have only got one motif to go, a little bunny washing it's face! I should get that done next time around (which is only a week away now). That would be a nice HD as it has been a WIP for quite a while.

Week Three saw me start some socks in a lovely yarn called Silver Moon Fairy. It is by Carrie at Gothic Yarns and it is really lovely. I havn't linked to her site as she is just updating it at the mo, so hasn't any yarn for sale as yet. Once she is back up and running I'll post a link so you can share the joy that is her yarn! I should finish the socks this week and will post a pic at a later date.
Week Four saw me back with Summer Maiden. She is quite bead-tastic around her hair. I think I will probably have this done over the next two/three rotations.

As per the last post, I finished my wrap and a hat. I now need to start a new daily project. I think I will knit a scarf to go with the hat. I have a lovely entrlac pattern that I think will knit up quite fast in the Noro, esp if I am working on it everyday.
I am really happy with my crafty hobbies at the moment, and have just bought two great sock books...Favorite Socks and Knitting Socks with Handpainted Yarn. They are both great, but I really love the latter. It has a great section on the types of yarns that are suited for particular types of pattern. This is very informative.
On that note..I shall go off to lick them....I mean read them...

2009-03-24T20:37:00.004Z

A long awaited Knitting HD...
...and quite a quick one too!
Way back in Nov 2005, I went to the Knitting and Stitching Show at Harrogate. There I saw at the Get Knitted stall, a wrap knitted in Cherry Tree Hill Lace Merino, in the colourway Peacock. I fell in love with it immediately, but alas, it was not to be as they were out of stock. However, they did say that if I went home and ordered on the Internet, they would throw in the wrap pattern for free. It is called Cloud Wrap by Sue Morgan. Well I promptly did order it and when it all arrived, dutifully cast on and started to knit it. Then I went off knitting for a while, so it got left in the cupboard until the end of last year when the knitting bug caught me again.
I then did 10 rows a day (missed some days due to other stuff) and I finally finished it 23rd March! I have worn it every day since around the home as it is so warm and takes off the chill without having to put the heating on!!!

Onto the quick HD...I cast on this hat just after I finished the wrap. It is called Ela's Favourite Hat and is from 101 One-Skein Wonders
It is knit in Noro Silk Garden shade 282 and is for a friend for her birthday. I finished it this morning...so definately a quick knit!...Thanks for looking...as always, feel free to rabbit on...

2009-03-06T21:37:00.007Z

Rotation Round Up 2...
It's working out well so far, in between buying lots of yarn!
Week One saw me finish my Nutkin socks. They didn't come out quite how I wanted them to, as I thought it was a varigated yarn and it was a self striping one! However, I really like them and they are the best fit so far. The pattern used a short row heel and toe which I really enjoyed knitting. I do think that I will knit some more of these in the future.
I then started some other socks in some yarn from the Knitting Goddess. They were for a Feb KAL on a Ravelry group which has a green theme.

Week two...saw me stitch a little more of my Rabbit Sampler. I have added some carrots and started a row of cabbages which I will hopefully complete this week as I am onto my third week two.

Week three...saw me make great progress on my Flutterby socks. I really enjoyed knitting these and love the yarn. It is Meadow by the Knitting Goddess and it is very soft. I was also making great progress on my cloud wrap and am now about 75% complete.
I also started and finished a beanie hat for DH but as yet I have not taken a photo of it. I'll do a separate post for this sometime this week (if I remember!)

Week four...sort of merged into Week one of the third round of the rotation as I went on holiday and wanted to finish my Flutterby socks. You can see them -> I did make quite a few mistakes on these, mainly when knitting the wrapped stitches that form the butterflies, but I fixed them afterwards. They are a little room and if I were to do them again I'd use a smaller needles size.
DH calls them my Spider Socks as he thinks they look more like spiders than butterflies! I learnt the Eye of Partridge method for the heel flap which I really like.

Eventually I turned Week one of the third rotation into Week four of the second (still with me?) I didn't do much stitching due to other committments. However, I did make some progress on my Summer Maiden.

So that is where I am at with stuff. I keep on buying yarn...I'm a bit addicted and if you are on Ravelry, you'll see the stash mounting, but do you know what? I really don't care...I am a good kind person so why the heck shouldn't I be able to roll around in sock yarn if I want to? Lol Best leave it there....

2009-02-18T22:56:00.006Z

Good News, Bad News and Yarn P0rn...
I will update with my finishes, progress pics etc at the end of the month..there are a few to share..
The good news...I am not imagining that I have yellow bits at the back of my throat, I am not doing anything to make them appear, I am in fact not going mad!!!!
The bad news...I have Permanent Chronic Tonsilitis and have to have my Tonsils taken out. Blegh...at the age of 35, I know this is gonna hurt...now I also know it has to be done and there are a lot more people out there who have more probs than me, but I must admit to feeling a bit nervous about it all.
I suppose the positive side to it is that I'll have to eat a lot of ice cream!

As for the Yarn P0rn...there has been quite a bit of it since my last post so rather than bombard you with loads of pics all over the place, I've out together a little movie courtesy of the lovely peeps that are Photobucket.
I hope it works ok...I am going to add to this stash of that I am sure and if you are on Ravelry, you will see what I am doing with it all...or at least planning to do with it....

Till next time...feel free to rabbit on...

2009-01-29T21:13:00.005Z

A Rotation Round-up...and a little S.E.X...
Hopefully, this will become a four weekly regular unless I get really excited over something in the middle of the rotation that I can't wait to show you!
Week one as some of you will know, saw the completion of the baby cardigan that had been languishing in the bottom of a bag for a couple of years. It also saw me pick up my Violet Green Entrelac Socks.
Week two saw me move onto stitching a wip and I made good progress on my Rabbit Run Sampler.
Week three was the Anything Goes week so I decided to finish my VG socks and boy do I lurrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrve them! I like everything about them, the pattern was really simple and the colour IMHO is gorgeous. I then picked up a new start, my Nutkins which I also like a lot.
Week four was the beginning of the injury/bug/'I feel ill' week. It also saw me start a new cross stich piece, namely Mirabilia's Summer Maiden.
I am stitching this on Sugar Maple's Malory on 32ct lugana. As with Winter and Spring, I am leaving off the borders so it fits on a 13" x 18". I think the colours of the threads go really well with the fabric colour. Well, can I tell you, this baby stitches up fast. The pic to the right shows you a week's progress, bearing in mind the first day was stitched whilst my hand was in a sling (nothing keeps a crafter from her crafts!!) and the rest of the week, I have done no more than 3 hours a day, and they havn't been continuous. Seeing as this lady wants to be stitched quickly, I don't think she will take me long. I've bought some invisble thread today to use for the beads. I've not used it before so we will see how I like it.
So, I am now back to week one and have picked up my nutkins, but I have also added a new goal and that is to stitch 10 rows a day on another WIP regardless of what week it is. This adds approx 1" to the project which I need greatly!!
Oh...what is this project? Well it's a scarf I started after I bought the yarn back in Nov 2005 at the Harrogate Knitting Show. I fell in love instantly! The yarn is Cherry Tree Hill's Merino Lace in Peacock and the pattern is called Cloud by Sue Morgan. I have a long way to go as I am making a wrap which 1s 65cm x 176cm. Since the pic I have added 3".

Now,I have also acquired some new stuff, as well as the previously mentioned Debbie Bliss Stella, which arrived on Tuesday. Today saw the delivery of January's Ltd Edition CTH sock club installment. It is a Supersock Solid in a colour called Cornflower and it's very purty! You can see it here. I also bought a new book, namely Mason-Dixon Knitting: The Curious Knitter's Guide. First impressions are that I will enjoy using it more as a book than as a knitting book if you catch my drift, although some of the patterns are growing on me...
I also ordered some Noro Silk Garden and will update with picks as and when it arrives and will be looking at some Rowan Tapestry once I've finished here. I am really pleased that I am enjoying both knitting and stitching as much as each other, despite the trapped nerve in my shoulder!
Ok...again I have Rabbitted on for ages...something I seem to be doing a lot lately. As always...til next time...

2009-01-26T16:55:00.005Z

Positivity = Productivity
I could sit here feeling really sorry for myself as I am off work again and as I seem to wake up each day feeling more crap than the day before (stoopid throat thing has reared ugly head again)...however, I decided instead to be all 'Yayyyyy' and 'think Positive' about it all and had a bit of a de-clutter moment. This included dragging out my boxes of yarn...I know it was soooooooooo hard to have to sort through oodles of gorgeous yarn, but sometimes we have to do things like this! I found two bags that had been knitted out of Sirdar Funky Fur Magic, one in Indigo and one in Violet. They had been knit way back in the Autumn of 2005 and were intended for me and my God-Daughter respectively. They needed lining and I did in fact buy the lining but in my usual manner couldn't be bothered to 'finish' them properly.
Fast forward to yesterday and today. I felt like being productive so I got the big sewing needles out and made the bags up and then this morning dragged the sewing machine out and did the lining. The linings were quite a pig to put in but they do finish them of properly.

I'm not sure who I will give this one to...it should have been mine but I'm not sure if I want it now!

I really like how the lining looks on this one and whilst this wasn't for me originally, I might find it hard to give this one up, but I don't know what to use it for...suggestions on a postcard please (well OK on a comment will do since I don't advertise my snail mail address!)
Til next time.....

2009-01-24T13:36:00.004Z

Injury = ouch = boredom = spending = ouch...
Hmmm...'The Plan' has, as they say, gone to Rat Shit! Yet AGAIN I got injured at work on Wednesday. I was partaking of a physical training exercise which resulted in two colleague's, who probably weigh a combined 25st, half trample me to the ground and body slam me against another colleagues leg, a metal fence and a very hard, solid wall!
This resulted in gasps and hysterical laughter from me, a few minutes of feeling stunned and then a mild 'asthma' moment and another trip to the local A&E. I swear I should sponsor a bed in that place...soon they won't even need to ask for my name!
Thankfully no bones were broken but I have pulled muscles from my right hand/thumb, travelling allllllllll the way up my arm, around my right shoulder and down to the right hand side of my ribs.
I was in a sling for 24hrs and was not able to do my last day of week 3...knitting on my Nutkin socks...grrrr
I was able to put a few stitches into my Summer Maiden on Thursday whilst still in a sling but my hand does keep swelling a little after a while.
The sling came off Friday and I have been able to stitch some more. Thankfully I hardly move my right hand when stitching, mainly my left so after every half hour I have a rest due to the tight feeling in my right hand.
Of course...the other plan that has temporarily put on hold and the one I'm most peeved about is my running program. As you can see from my mini-me on the left <---- I havn't been able to train and she is feeling like a couch potato. Like mini-me...I too feel that way, esp since I've been really enjoying the running ( sadistic I know) I am obviously getting fitter too as during the 'injury induced' training session, I was doing really well...double grrrrr
I've to rest for about four days and am doing so really as I want to get back to everything like yesterday but curiously, I got a shower after I got home from the A&E and when I came out of it I started sneezing. I'm like 'Whoaaahhhh..where has this come from?' Cue irritated eyes for the rest of the evening.
Fast forward 8 hrs to the following morning and my eyes are sort of stuck together in the corner. CONJUNCTIVITIS! WTF? I havn't had that since I was about 2yrs old and here I am at 35 seeing yellow goo in my eyes. I then realised that my not so brilliant throat also felt like I was sucking on razors and that I generally felt crap. I think it must be one of those stress colds you can get when you're body has had a shock. So my 3 days off that I don't get that often are being spent recouperating.
Oh well it could be worse...I can still control my mouse click button with my left hand.....MMMwhahh ha ha ha ha *think evil laughter type sound here*
This brings me to the second Ouch in the post title...my bank balance hurting again. There seems to be a correlation to me feeling ill and buying stash. This time the Simple Knitted Bodice pattern found it's way to my pute.
Now it would have been plain rude not to buy yarn to go with it, so after a bit of surfing I decided to go with Debbie Bliss Stellar as it was on sale at Stash Fine Yarns I've gone for the Soft Lime colourway and I hope that it will work out ok. I think the tension will be right on the 4.5mm needles.
I've not used these before but seem to think that they have a good reputation.
Of course, then I needed to buy some Knit Picks Harmony circular needles and just had to purchase the Options Interchangeable Set from Get Knitted.
Seriously, I can't wait for these to arrive just so I can droooool.
Again, I seem to have Rabbitted on for some time, so I will leave you with a framing HD. I picked this up from my framers on Friday and I am really pleased with it. Most of my pieces that are for Christmas are framed this way, as are the little samplers they replace as the frame goes really well with our furniture in the living room. Picture ain't so great so forgive me...til next time feel free to Rabbit on...

2009-01-20T14:38:00.005Z

The PLAN seems to be working...
I mentioned a few posts back that I had a plan to organise my hobbies and stash. So far so good except I have changed the weeks in the plan around to suit my needs.
Week one was implemented and as a result I did finish a knitting WIP, namely the baby cardigan I posted about. I also then picked up my Violet Green Entrelac socks that I started in October last year. I made good progress on them and then went onto week two...

Week two saw me pick up my Rabbit Run Sampler. I didn't do too bad on a week and you can see the progress to the left. During this week I worked on the bottom row of rabbits, fully completing the right hand one and the grass underneath. I have yet to do the backstitching which I dislike doing since it's an Anchor design and I hate their BS charts. Since the pic was taken I have also started on a motif of carrots on the right hand side. I think that when week two comes around again, I will be able to finish the carrots so will only have a rabbit and some cabbage to do and it will be a finish!

Week three was changed to 'Anything Goes' and I decided to pick my Entrelac socks back up and hey presto! I finished them. They are knit in Regia Canadian Color in the Ontario colourway. I love how this yarn looks on this pattern. I was left with 36g of it after finishing so will put that to some good use in a future project I am sure. I then decided to start some socks that I had seen on Ravelry, namely Nutkin. As you can see from that page I am using some of the Rico Designs Superba. This pattern is knitting up very fast and as I am knitting two at a time I am halfway through the leg on each. I have til Thursday on this week so I think I will manage to get to the heel shaping on both by then.
Week four will see me start a new cross stitch piece. I have chosen Mirabillia's Summer Maiden of the Season as I have Winter on my wall at the mo, to be replaced by Spring on 21st March, so I need to get Summer and Autumn finished this year.

As far as the plan to use all my bath stuff, that's working great as well and I have already dispensed of one of my Christmas pressies and have moved onto the next. My hands are really benefitting from using the hand cream twice a day and I am rather pleased that I am keeping up with this goal too because I am developing space in my bath cupboard!

I have also kept up with my fitness, completing a run this morning. My Mini-me shows that I have only done 4 runs but I have actually done a 2mile and a 5.15 mile run but I messed up on transferring one over and the nano messed up on the other!. I was really tired this morning and was surprised to see that I had upped my pace. I had been out walking in the Lakes this weekend so my legs were tired, but maybe not as tired as I thought!
Well, I have rabbited on again...til next time folks...take care...

2009-01-13T14:11:00.004Z

I am always in a Pod these days...
An i-pod that is! I was a lucky enough wife to receive an i-pod nano from my lovely DH for Christmas. It's not something I'd asked for, not something I needed or even wanted as I used my mobile for most things. However, his DBro persuaded him that I did need one and when I opened it on Christmas Day and saw that delicious purple and the slimness and slinkiness of it...I knew then I was hooked. It's sooooooooooooooooooo tactile and pretty and, as it's the 16GB version, it's got a lot going for it. It has become my new obsession...little did DH know that he would become a Pod Widow!
As I type I am downloading some more podcasts...something I have really gotten into. The one I started off with was Socks in the City I love Carrie! She has given me some good ideas about my sock knitting and thanks to her I have really renewed my interest in all things sock yarny and have since bought a few skeins as can be seen in my Ravelry stash page
Then having hear Carrie mention Lime and Violet so much, I have started to listen to them too!

It doesn't stop at podcasts tho...I have a new toy to go with my Pod...the Nike+ Sports Kit.
The observant amongst you (if you have the latest Flash player) may have seen a mini me running along in my side bar, jumping hurdles and punching some air. I kid you not, this piece of kit is A-Ma-Zing to quote Craig Revel-Horwood.
I seriously love this, it has made me want, nay need to go out running. I already had the trainers so all I do is pop in the sensor, choose my work out, stick the Pod in my arm band and away I go. I have done three runs so far, but I am slightly peeved that after a 5.3 mile run yesterday I accidentally deleted that workout before I had synced it to i-tunes, so I look like I am behind my schedule and my mini me shows me 5.3 miles less than I've done!
The Nike+ site is fab too and really motivating and I love the fact that you can have a Power Song to play when you are flagging a bit, just to give you that boost! I currently have Your Disco Needs you by Kylie Minogue...a power song if there ever was one!
So...that's the new obsession I mentioned yesterday...I am now off to listen to some more Lime and Violet...til next time feel free to Rabbit on...

2009-01-12T17:21:00.010Z

A finishing frenzy...
Since my last post I have taken photos of some recent finishes. I stitched some little tote bags for the daughters of two of my friends for Christmas. They are from Charles Craft
The natural coloured ones are for a 7, 6 and 4 year old and the denim one for a 5 year old. They were all stitched using various threads from GAST, GAST Simply Shaker, WDW and Six Strand Sweets.
This is the 7 year olds. Her favourite colour is purple so that's why I chose the colours. I also bought some books to go in it, as I did with all the girls. The other bag with the purple border is for the 6 year old as she too liked purple but also liked yellow. The pale colours were chosen for the 4 year old as she liked pink! They are all quite head strong and know what they like! They didn't take long, about a week each. The letters I used are from Lizzie*Kate's A-B-Crazy
They were all stitched between the middle of October and second week of December so I did leave it a bit late to decide to make presents for people! I then bought the new Country Cottage Needleworks Garden Party series. I really like these designs and as I already have a set of Crescent Colours threads, I knew I would like stitching them. Being from England, I didn't want to put Ladybug so I altered the chart to say Ladybird. I did also sub out the spot colour to a black rather than the brown colour supplied in the kit. They are stitched on 28ct lugana and I hope to back them all in some fabric that co-ordinates with the borders and hang them in my downstairs WC on a pegboard.
Excuse the creases!

Then, once I had finished those (I have the other two on order) I decided to finish a baby cardigan that I had started years ago and never finished. A girl at work had a little girl on 4th Jan, so I am giving it to her. The body was knit in one piece until the stocking st and I knit the sleeves on DPNs to avoid the seam. This worked really well as they were drop sleeves, you just have to swap back to straight needles when leaving the marker for the sleeve extension.
I am caught back up with my knitting bug. It's down to buying some Knit Picks Harmony Needles from Get Knitted I love Get Knitted, they always parcel things up in a great way, and I also adore the DPNs.They are sooooooooo smooth and a joy to knit with.
Then thanks to a post on Ravelry, I was introduced to The Knitting Goddessand I bought some lush sock yarn from there. It can be seen in my Ravelry stash page.
Well I've rabbitted on for a while so that's all for now folks...I'll talk about my latest obsession another day...

2009-01-07T21:17:00.002Z

Some say....
...I fixated at the anal retentive stage...some say that Monica Gellar and I were seperated at birth...some say that if I stare at my cds long enough, they put themselves into alphabetical order...all I know is that I am 'The Stig' of organising!!
For those of you out there who watch Top Gear youl'll catch my drift...
Anyone who knows me knows my love of lists, to-dos and all things logical. They also know that my towels are folded into threes and are always straight and I admit that I also fold my undies into threes and store them in my drawer in colour order, as I do with my clothes in the wardrobe (the colour thing, not the folding!!).
So I guess it would come as a bit of a surprise that when it comes to my stitching and knitting, I'm very much the opposite. I go with the flow and fly by the seat of my pants. Now this could be a bit of a 'hair letting down' thing, but I have set the cogs working and got my grey matter working on overtime lately and I've decided that I need to organise this part of my life too.

The PLAN....in the first week of the month I will knit in something that I have already started. So for example, this week I am finishing a baby cardigan that I started 2 years ago and will give it to a friend at work who has just had a little girl. I have done the sleeves on dpns as they are drop shoulders with no shaping. HOWEVER, I cast off the first one and saw that I had made a mistake in the 4 row pattern repeat and being the perfectionist I am, I'm unpicking it...not easy on dpns!

In the second week I will stitch on a WIP
In the third week I can stitch on something new, and then keep that as the third week project.
In the fourth week, anything goes be it knitting, WIPing or stitching the focus.
Voila....my plan is now set in action.

I have also extended this organising to how I use my shower gels and bath stuff. I have tons and I mean tons but like my stitching, I get some new pretty stuff and start to use that without finishing the older stuff. Result? Cupboards full of bath stuff. So, first up is a winter spice gel, body lotion and body sprayand I intend to use them all up before I move onto the next stuff.

Well that's it for now...I like these plans, they are me to a tee and I just know I'll be successful...oh the joy of being anal!!!!!

2009-01-06T17:42:00.006Z

A Review of 2008 and Welcome 2009....
So, not all of 2008 was that great for me, but on reflection, compared to some people in the world, it wasn't that bad either...there are much worse things happening in the world compared to what's going on in my little insignificant life!
Starting with January (obviously) here are a few things that went on in 'ScullyLand' in 2008....
January
Well, I don't think January can have been that interesting as I can't remember anything about it except that I bought a full set of Crescent Colours threads!!

February
We went away to the Lake District and took bunny with us. The weather was really cold, but sunny and beautiful. We were walking around in t-shirts for a lot of our walks despite the fact that the air temp was often 0 or below first thing on a morning.
I discovered a great little shop called Jolie Maison in a nearby town which sells very sweet little gifts and things for the house. All I can say is I was doomed from that point in and have spent many pennies in there ever since!
I also finished Mirabillia's Winter Maiden.

March
I finally had my bad foot operated on in March. The consultant wasn't that fussed about my 'problem'. He was absolutely great, but he was of the opinion that my injury was nothing major and required nothing more than a quick debriment. Can I say however, that for me, this simple procedure was the BEST. I had tiny pieces of bone swimming around in my ankle and the edge of my ankle bone needed planing for want of a better description as it was a little rough around the edges. After the initial pain from the op, my foot healed 10 fold. I had waited over 2½ years for this and it felt wonderful.
I treated myself to a new car too, a Citroen C3 VTR and I love, love, love it!
And finally, after many years of faffing about and deliberating, I had a will drawn up!

April
The thing about being off work and not being very mobile is that you tend to get bored. I know, I know, I have more stash than I can shake a stick at, and you would think being trapped in the house would make me happy as I could stitch to my heart's content, but I sometimes need more than that.
So...the 'Clicky Finger' comes out...that finger that costs you more than anything, sometimes over the years, even more than the Ring Finger costs you...
Well, I surfed, I lusted and I clicked and somehow, full sets of GAST, GAST Simply Shaker and Weeks Dye Works and a few charts managed to find their way over the Atlantic to Chez Scully.
You would have thought that was enough to put me on until I returned to work in May, but oh no...somehow a 32" LCD TV, a stand for it, a Nintendo Wii and a Wii Fit also found their way to Chez Scully. I used the excuse that the latter would help me regain my fitness after my op...yeh right...

May
Our 1st Anniversary arrived and we went away to the most wonderful B&B I have ever stayed in. It is in Far Sawrey in the Lakes, overlooks Lake Windermere and is about a mile away from my most favourite place in he world, Moss Eccles Tarn.
We walked to the tarn in an effort to do some physio on my foot, and I didn't do too badly, not as fast as usual, but at least I was mobile again.
After that little break away, I came back and found that I weighed the most I have ever done, 12st 4lbs. I didn't look good for it either, so I decided to do something about it and joined Tesco e-diets. Man, did I have to eat a lot of food. Much more than I normally ate and I didn't think it was going to work. However, I lost 4lbs in the first week. Blew my socks off that did as I have really struggled over the time since I broke my foot to keep weight off.
My Wii Fit came into it's own and by the end of the month I was back to walking and had another great week away in the Lakes.
And finally...after 4 years I had Celtic Spring framed

June
June was fairly uneventful for me. The one thing worth mentioning is that Celtic Summer was also finished and framed. Celtic Autumn was framed after 3 years and two little ones for my en-suite were also framed.

July
Again, slightly uneventful, mainly due to the fact that we had cruddy weather so we didn't go out anywhere really. We had been in the house a year and still enjoy it and are thankful for our own en-suites!!
Stitchingwise I had a new HD for me...a flatfold. It didn't come out too badly for a first attempt.

August
This month saw me being able to buy some rather tighter fitting clothes than I normally wear as I had finally lost enough weight to have reached my target of 10st 3lbs. I looked so much better for it and felt fitter than I had done for a long time. I was even running and enjoying it...not long distances but enough to make a difference.
I also had a little GTG with some great stitching friends and look forward to the next.

September
Well as followers of my blog will know, this month my life was shattered with the death of my beloved bunny, Scully. I still miss her terribly and I still talk to her when I'm in the house as I have some of her ashes in a little box, sat in a plush cushion that is placed in the spot where her cage was. Time does heal, but there is still a bit of me missing...
On a brighter note, I bought myself a shiny, all singing, all dancing laptop which I get a lot of use out of.

October
Not much to report on really, I was a bit of a mess this month and suffered from my third really bad throat infection of the year and generally felt crap...

November
Things went from bad to worse really and I had a lot of family issues to deal with which culminated in my mum and stepdad splitting up after 27 years of marriage. Let me tell you folks, a marriage break up involving one of your parents is not easy to deal with no matter what age you are and this month was probably the worst month of my entire life and at some points I really didn't know how I was going to move on and get by. On reflection, I was still very much grieving the loss of bunny and was in no state to deal with everything else. Somehow, I came out of it all the worst, but hey ho...life does go on...
On a positive note, I went to see Will Young in concert and he was soooooooo good, I almost thought I must have been dreaming. Oh to have such a talent as that...

December
I turned 35, I had one of the best holidays I've had in a long time, climbed my 50th Wainwright (Alfred Wainright's Lakeland Fells), got a stunning purple i-pod nano for Christmas and had one of the best Christmas Days I've ever had. We decided to please ourselves instead of others and believe me..it works a treat...
My Celtic ladies were finally completed too and I finished and picked up my favouite one, Celtic Winter.

Not the best pic as she is much more silvery IRL, but you get the idea...

Onto 2009....
Things...can only get....better..... * think D:Ream!*

2008-11-03T18:00:00.003Z

Who needs to grieve anyway?....
It seems that the 'Big Man' upstairs doesn't think He is testing me hard enough by taking my sweet bun away from me, so he's decided to launch a whole load of family problems at me too, which quite frankly having had to deal with and sort out these problems like for the last frigging 15 years, I've had ENOUGH. ENOUGH...can I shout it ANY LOUDER. I mean seriously, just how much more is one person's brain supposed to deal with at any one time? Was it my destiny when born to this Earth for me to never be able to be truly happy, to have to carry around these issues the minute I hit an age when I could understand there was an issue? Why was I the one picked out from the crowd and chosen to have to be such a burden to all I ever came across? Why can't some people see me for who I am as opposed to being someone they want me to be. Why am I such a disappointment? And yet despite all my failings...why is it me who is still the one left to sort stuff out and pick up all the pieces? So if You are listening up there in your ivory tower, just accept that I've failed Your test and give me a break and let me get on with grieving for the one thing that accepted me unconditionally....please...

2008-10-17T21:25:00.003+01:00

How can something so small......
...leave such a big hole in your life?
Firstly, can I say a huge thank you for all your kind comments. I really did appreciate them and it is great to know that the Queen's fans thought she was beautiful too.
If I said I was doing OK then I would be lying to you all. I am devastated...truthfully...I really didn't think I could miss by bundle of fluff so much. The smallest of things sets me off on a crying marathon...today it was the vacuum of all things. I havn't vacuumed the room which I sit in, the one bunny lived in, since I put her to sleep and had to tidy away her things. Not because I am scruffy or untidy or slovenly, I have used the dustpan for the odd crumb dropped, but because quite simply, it hasn't needed vacuuming. Today it did and I couldn't believe how harsh the reality of it all hit me. I had no fur to vac up, no hay, no bits of bunnyness...just my stupid hair and dust.
When bunny was running around, I had to vac every other day, as well as using the dustpan and the hand held vac. She shed her fur everywhere, and everytime she jumped in and out of her cage she always brought some hay with her. Then there were the little bits of treat that she'd chomped on and left crumbs on the rug...there was always something. Scully also loved the vac. Despite pretending otherwise, she would always come right close to the hose and follow it around the room and then run around as if I was trying to kill her with it! Today I had none of that and it made me sad.
I have had a lot of up and down days since she died and I did think I'd feel better once I had her ashes, but that saddened me too as I didn't like to think of the process she went through in order for me to get them.
I know there will be many people out there is this world wide web who won't be able to understand why I am so upset...hell knows I've questioned it myself these past weeks, but Scully was more than just my pet bunny to me and I know that more than ever now.
I have always chosen not to have children because I am brave enough to say that I don't think I'd do well as a parent. I like my time and can be quite selfish with it and I can also feel trapped by my surroundings very easily and quickly, and children would for me, highlight that. The last thing I would want to do would to have a child and regret it...that would be awful for the child and I couldn't be that cruel.
I also have other family commitments that hang over me so heavily that I couldn't also cope with having the responsibility of a child of my own on top of that, as I have no other family that I can share these other responsibilties with.
But then what do you do with all those emotions that you have?, those that could only be shared between a parent and child...just because I have no kids doesn't mean I am emotionless and that I didn't want to love something unconditionally. So along came bunny...in fact she was my second. The one I got before her had to be put to sleep after only having her 4 days due to her back breaking. The pet shop felt sorry for me and let me choose another FOC, and that's when I saw Scully. She had only arrived the day before, and looked so darned sweet with one ear up and one ear down that I knew I had to have her.
So on 1st July 2000, my life changed and I was to become the luckiest Petmum there could be.
From then on, all Scully asked for was head rubs and cheek scratches and to be fed as much as I would let her be fed and in return I got my baby. She was there for me when I injured my leg at work and had to crawl around the house...always 'kissing it better', she was there when I split up from DH and boy did she have her big ears bent over that, she was there when I was so poorly before my thyroid prob was diagnosed, laying by my side as I vegged out on my bean bag 24/7. She would nudge me when I dozed off, and if I didn't respond, jump on my head and dig my hair! Not an easy thing to do getting a bunny off your head when you are too ill to even eat a crisp!
And whilst I know she depended on me to look after her, I depended on her more than she would ever have known. She was my little sounding off box, my little rock, except she was all soft and cuddly and smelt as wonderful as only small furries can, and for all that I miss her...terribly..and having her ashes in a sweet little box with her name on it, isn't enough.
I don't know where to channel those feelings, I have no-one to share my deep hidden fears with anymore, the ones you have but could never let your husbands, wives, closest friends know. I know I have the fondest of memories and it's them I am trying to hold onto...so forgive me if I don't comment on your blogs for a while, or I don't update mine for a few days.
I picked up two very special photos a couple of days ago so will leave you with a look at those...

2008-09-29T14:46:00.002+01:00

All Hail the Queen of Gorgeousness....
Hello you folks...Scully's petmum signing in. Today the Queen relinquished her reign and passed away peacefully whilst I rubbed her nose and held her front paw.
On Friday 12th September, after bounding on the sofa begging for treats, Scully jumped back off and surprised us all, including herself, by leaving a pool of blood on the carpet.
Now, as a responsible Petmum, I already knew what this meant as I have always read up on bunny illnesses and I didn't need a vet to tell me she had cancer.
She was fine for the rest of the night and when I took her to the vets the next day they told me they could feel a lump in her uterus, the size of a walnut, which in bunny terms, is big.
The decision was made to bring her back home and re assess her on the following Wednesday as she was still very chipper and her usual pesky self!
The photos I will post below were taken the Tuesday before her op.
She had the tumour removed on the Wednesday but it was confirmed that it had spread so nothing could be done. However, as she was otherwise healthy, she was brought round after the op and was allowed to come home the following day.
Apart from falling out with her Petmum for a while, she seemed fine and was back to begging for treats in no time. She didn't like the fact that I had to give her medicine in a syringe, but other than that we were friends again.
I came home from work last Monday at 00:45 and I let her out of her hutch whilst I watched tv for an hour...she was fine. However when I got back up at 10am she was breathing funnily and I recognised that she had caught a cold, Snuffles, which isn't as cute as it sounds....
She seemed to be ok apart from that and was still eating and wanting to play out in her beloved garden, and when she had a check up on Monday, the vet wasn't overly concerned.
However, by Saturday, her cold had gotten worse and I could see that she wasn't herself. She wasn't eating her favourite foods, although she never turned away a choc chip biscuit, even up til the end!
Unfortunately I have been nights all week so her Petdad has stepped up and been the best Petdad he could to look after her overnight. The decision was made to let her play out for as long as she wanted.
The last two days, she changed dramatically and I knew I had to do something about it. She had a check up planned today, and I knew in my heart that the kindest thing to do was put her to sleep.
So, I got up early and took her outside where thankfully it was a beautiful morning despite the forecasted showers (Thank you God) and I let her sit out for an hour and then sat her under her favourite tree and had one last chat. I told her I loved her and that I was going to help her and that I would, amongst many other loyal fans, miss her terribly.
So at 10:50am, I took her to the vets, where we saw the vet who had given her back to me after the op. She took one look at her and heard her little squeaky breaths and told me she had pneumonia. She did say that they could try and treat it, but I didn't want my beautiful creature to suffer anymore so I asked her to put her to sleep.
Now normally, Scully doesn't want to know me at the vets 'cos she didn't like being there, but today she licked my hand and I am sure she was saying 'Thank you'.
At around 11am, as she laid in her pet carrier on her comfy cushion with her favourite toy next to her, I held her front paw which she had put out in front of her and I watched as she stopped suffering. A bittersweet moment as bunnies don't shut their eyes. I saw her perfect little nose stop twitching and I knew her time on this earth was over and that a piece of my heart was broken forever.
So, please join me in seeing these lovely photos where she is truly happy.

I absolutely adore the last one...she was sniffing for peanuts...the forbidden treat for bunnies.
And whilst I am sad, well devasted to be truthful, I also feel relieved that she is now at peace, and she did look peaceful. Some of her ashes will be scattered under the tree in the pics, some planted in a pot with a boxus hedge in (she obliterated the ones in the garden so we thought that fitting!) and a little bit in Moss Eccles Tarn in the Lake District which was Beatrix Potter's and where she was inspired to write her books. It also happens to be my favourite place up there.
My memories will be fond, and I'd like to end this with a quote from Alfred Lord Tennyson-In Memorium;1850
I hold it true, whate'er befall;
I feel it, when I sorrow most;
'Tis better to have loved and lost
Than never to have loved at all'

Farewell my Queen and R.I.P.......

2008-09-06T17:32:00.003+01:00

Arise Loyal Subjects....
Well....it has been a while since I last spoke with you all. What a busy time I have had since I last updated you on the delights of my life.
Where shall I begin? Oh of course...back in February last year. That is when Hooman decided that we were going to leave our lovely house and move to another one. I did wonder where we were going, but when we got there I did recognise it. I had been there before for a few days once. It belonged to another Hooman, but he was a boy who I know my Hooman called 'Sweetie'.
So, I got a new room, but it was upstairs and I couldn't get out in to the garden from there. I know Hooman was upset about this, but she did try and make up for it by coming up and sitting in the room with me whilst she watched the TV. I heard her saying something about me making Sweetie sneeze all the time and that's why I had to stay upstairs.
Sometimes when the sun came in through the window, Hooman would pick me up and put me in what I can only describe as a straight jacket! It was a bit bright but it did allow me to go play on the grass, so I put up with it.
You can see me modelling it here...

When I went outside, there was a strange looking creature next door called Harvey. He looked like an Ewok! He always used to bark when he saw me and tried to get under the fence, so I used to run up to it and then run away!
We hadn't been at Sweetie's long before I went on a holiday. We went somewhere that had big hills and lots of water. Hooman wore a very pretty purple dress one day and she told me that she had married Sweetie. 'Well' I thought...what a turn up for the books. I did wonder if Hooman would not want me anymore, but it seemed that she did, and gave me even more treats than she usually did. I like being married!
That was in May last year and then in July, we moved again. I didn't know this new house, but we all went together so it seemed nice. And then I saw it....it was sooooooooooo big and green and full of fabulous hiding places. Hooman told me it was her dream for me to have a lovely garden one day and when she put me down onto the grass she told me that she hoped I'd like it.
Like it? OMG....at last she had finally brought me to a place that befit me and my gorgeousness. I thought I had died and gone to heaven, but it was really real.
I settled into this place easily....I really loved it. As well as my garden, I was also allowed to live in the smaller living room downstairs. It was great as it has big doors that open into the garden. I decided that since we were a family now, I would call Hooman and Sweetie my Petmum and Petdad.
Petdad got used to me and he doesn't sneeze so much now. I can even jump onto his lap and try and pinch his chocolate and all he does is laugh.
He also spoils me rotten when Petmum isn't there but I keep that a secret!
In March this year, Petmum had to go to hospital and came back with a funny shoe thing on her foot. She stopped going out during the day and we stayed in all the time. I liked it because I got lots of fusses and head rubs and I could play in the garden for nearly the whole day as long as it didn't rain. Then, she took the shoe off and started to go out again, so I had to go back to staying in my cage sometimes. I still didn't mind it that much, I'm getting on a bit and playing all day is tiring.
So, here we are in September, and I have had four holidays since we moved here...always to the hilly place, bu I don't mind. Petmum has told me that I have got three more booked so I look forward to those.
I am a happy bunny really...I have seen on the TV and in some magazines that not all bunnies live in such a big room. And as much as I love my garden, I wouldn't want to live outside all the time especially in the cold.
Last week, Petmum went away for a night. Petdad said she was off gallivanting with her 'stitchy' friends, but I don't know what that means. I didn't mind though, because Petdad did give me a lot of treats...even a bit of crust from his custard tart. He knows just how much I love those. Mind you, when Petmum got back, I pretended that he hadn't fed me for two days, so she gave me a bit of another favourite of mine, a Parsley Bell.
All in all, life is good at Bunningham Palace apart from the fact that it has been raining for a long time now and I haven't been able to play out for much longer than 20
minutes. Oh well...never mind...
I will leave you with a picture of me enjoying some sun from earlier this year. I am watching over my realm whilst I am resting....You may now arise...I will update you again later...

2008-08-29T23:03:00.002+01:00

Comments?...What comments?....
It appears that since I migrated, Haloscan didn't want to show me all the lovely comments that I have recieved on my blog since January. I must admit that one of the reasons I stopped posting was because I didn't think people were reading it anymore due to lack of comments. It wasn't the only reason as that would be churlish...but it sort of backed up other reasons.
So imagine my delight in discovering some lovely comments left on my blog dating as far back as January. To those wonderful folk who left me them, I thank you...and to Michelle who told me she'd left one but couldn't see it...thanks again for making the detective in me investigate as other wise I might have tripped over my bottom lip......

2008-08-27T20:10:00.004+01:00

Today I had a Plan....
I like plans...plans are good...well as long as they work that is. I find that I have to plan my time a lot more these days than I used to. This is mainly due to the fact that a new boss changed the shifts I work back in March.
I had worked the shifts for six years and they were great, easy to follow and repetitive. I worked two days, then four afternoons/half nights then four days off. Having those four days off was great. DH followed the same pattern just with different people and we always had two days off together. I got alsorts done on my four days off. I was able to visit friends and family, go shopping if I needed to and had ample time to fit in all my hobbies which include walking. Usually without fail, unless the weather was truly abysmal or one of us were ill, DH and I went out for a walk every set of days off.
Like I said, that all changed in March. I now get two or three days off, mainly two. Sometimes the first day off is wasted because I finish at 5am that morning. DH and I don't always get a day off together. We are lucky to get two days off together twice in 10 weeks so our walks have suffered.
So today, I decided to formulate a plan that would allow me to spend a bit of time on every hobby I have except walking with DH as he was at work.
My plan to get up early had failed yesterday as I overslept by three hours!. That was due mainly to the fact that I had gone to bed three hours later than I had planned. See what I mean about plans only being good if they work .
Today, I got up as planned and made an appointment with the Docs, so task #1 completed.
I then had breakfast which consisted of some bran flakes, a slice of multi seed toast and some strawberries and blueberries. Today was already a good day!
I then read a couple of chapters of my latest read..Addition by Toni Jordan. I am really enjoying this and will be finished by the end of the month.
Then I finished stitching the first part of one of my latest projects...Holly the Lizzie*Kate Flip-it

I will leave the next bit, 'Stocking' for a SAL this weekend with Michelle
I am really looking forward to my trip down to see her.
After my mini HD, I did the washing and dried it all before moving onto starting Celtic Winter. Whilst stitching on both pieces I caught up with some Sky+'d TV, namely Smallville and The Ghost Whisperer. As I said...today was a good day!
I didn't do much on CW and then had lunch...a very nice wholemeal pitta filled with reduced fat humous, lettuce, spring onion and green pepper. I finished with a lovely fruit yoghurt.
Then I sorted out the washing and had a little more time on CW before I put on my running shoes and went for a 2 mile run. Not my fastest time, 17min 26sec, but quicker than when I last did it a few weeks ago. I still have headaches and a dodgy eye since banging my head three weeks ago, and it was also quite breezy out. I finished of the training by doing the floorwork from Peak Energy.
I treated myself to a nice shower and pamper session applying various lotions and potions and then made tea, a lovely mini pizza consisting of an English Toasting Muffin with pesto, passata and reduced fat Mozarrella accompanied by a mixed bean salad. I am really trying to stick to my diet/healthy eating plan.
I caught up with the local and national news and then had a half hour knitting some socks. They are Monkey and are knit with Regia Canadian Sock wool 'Manitoba'.
.
My next plan was then to be on the web posting this by 8pm, which I also managed to do!
So...it's 20:54....what next? Well I plan to have a little supper (did I mention I eat ALL the time on this diet!), go get the Queen of G in from the garden as it's pitch black outside, browse some sites, chat to a friend and retire to bed to read a couple more chapters before getting up for work at the ungodly hour of 4.30am. I do love it when a plan comes together.....

2008-08-25T22:28:00.003+01:00

The Samplers...
Onto the samplers that I have completed over the last year

Shepherd's Bush Love Letters

Lavender Wings Saturday Sampler

Lizzie*Kate Ho ho ho

Bent Creek Hip Hop and The Trilogy Beatrice Tongue Twister

Just Nan's 4 Wishes (click pic for non pixelated pic!)

LHN Morning Berries. Again Click the pic!

Shepherd's Bush Garden Gate Sampler
and then one I finished and hour ago.....

LHN Herb Garden. I dyed the fabric with Tesco tea bags! I was really pleased with the results. I changed the DMC to similar Crescent Colours as in LHN Morning Berries. I'm now going to make a start on L*K Christmas Flip-its......

2008-08-17T22:01:00.004+01:00

Happy, Happy Dances....
I've counted them up. Since my last stitching post in Jan 07 I've had 24 HD's. I will post pictures in groups in dribs and drabs so as not to bore folk...or maybe I'm just posting to myself...who knows!

The Mirabilias and a Celtic Lady.

Christmas Tree 2007. Stitched on a Kiwi Illusions Piece

Pixie Couture; Lily and Daisy. Stitched on SMF Gelati.

Maidens of the Seasons; Spring and Winter. I decided to leave the borders and the names off...mainly so they'd fit on 13" x 18" pieces of fabric! Stitched on SMF Snapdragon and SMF Winter Meadow.

L&L Celtic Summer. Converted to pinks from the purple Needlepaints. Stitched on SMF Tartan.
Lily was finished Sept 07, Daisy and the Xmas Tree Dec 2007, WInter Maiden Feb 08, Spring Maiden Mar 08, and Celtic Summer May 08. I have grown rather fond of a certain range of alluminium frames as you can see on the pixies and CS. I've also used them on the Maidens..a dark green for Spring and Oporto for Winter. They don't come cheap but I love them! I've already framed Celtic Spring and Celtic Autumn using them and have picked the one I want for Celtic Winter for when I start her at the end of this month/beg Sept.
Next set will be samplers of some kind....

2008-08-03T16:38:00.005+01:00

Ok...Catch up time...
It has been a while since I updated this place with anything that vaguely resembled a proper post. To spare a long ramble, I'll update you all on my life over the past year in bullet points
So if you are interested in any way, shape or form...grab yourselves a and read on...
* I moved house in Feb last year. After living on my own for 12 years, I decided that if I was going to turn DBF into DH in May, then we at least needed to live together. The first move was to go to live with him. It wasn't that easy...try squeezing a three story terraced house into an already furnished 3 bed semi! However, bun and I managed and thus began the start of a new chapter in my life.
* I got married in May last year to possibly the sweetest man I know. How on earth he puts up with me I have no idea. We married in a lovely hotel on the edge of Lake Windermere and I fulfilled my all time claim that I'd get married in either black or purple. I chose the latter and DH wore a very nice purple shirt and tie to co ordinate. We did choose black and white as the colours of the decorations though, which I made all by myself. If I say so myself, they turned out well and a fab day was had by all. We hired a boat to take the guests (40) for an hours cruise on Windermere on what was the hottest day of the year to that date. Our photos look like we are in Greece or some other hot European place! We didn't have a professional photographer as I don't like having my photo taken and didn't think it was worth paying a lot of money when I don't photograph that well anyway. However, lots of photos were taken and here are a few just to highlight my dress and the weather.

I love how this is slightly off focus and caught us when we weren't looking.

Not a very flattering pic of my waist/stomach but at least it shows the bead detail on the front.

This one shows the detailing on the back of the dress. I ordered this unseen as I'd seen a pic on a website, found a local stockist and went for it. Although I'm not happy with how I looked (too much weight on me), I was delighted with the dress.
I wore some boots with it, like the ones Beatrix Potter wore in Miss Potter. I thought it fitting for the location
* That was May...I then moved again in July. This time to a 'new to us' house. It has a fantastic established garden which bunny adores and is close to work for us both. As it's a four bed detached with two en-suites, it was also a lot more roomy than DH's house was. We now have a his and hers en-suite and it's bliss!
* In October we went on hols and whilst there I decided to go back to the hairdressers that did my wedding day hair and went from this...

to this...

A little bit drastic you say? Well the gory details are that it was a Grade 4. It grew fairly quickly and I had it cut back to a Grade 5 by December and since then have left it alone. It's now a shaggy, wavy mess that just touches the tops of my shoulders.
* Throughout the year we went on a few hols to the Lakes, my foot wasn't getting any better and my lack of exercise other than the odd walk was proving to be a problem. In the Oct my best walking trousers were tight, by December tighter and in Feb I couldn't get them on.
* In March this year I had a camera inserted into my foot and had it all washed out. There had been little bits of bone fragments left over from the break that were obviously causing me pain, but weren't significant to show up on x-ray. Also, the underside of my ankle bone was all rough so that was filed smooth and thankfully the exploration of the nerves revealed they were all intact. This was good news and meant I'd be able to recover finally from my break in 2005. What wasn't great was the amount of weight I piled on whilst recouperating.
* May this year and after a wonderful year we celebrated our Anniversary with a trip to the Lakes. I still couldn't walk too far and ate too many cakes, so when I got back and got weighed and saw I'd reached an all time high of 12st4lbs... I decided I needed to do something about it.
*I'd bought a WiiFit to help with balance exercises for my foot, and slowly started to do the aerobic exercises on it too. I then joined Tesco Online Diets on 9th May. I soon realised that besides the bit of snacking on junk I'd done at the beginning of May, I actually wasn't eating enough food. I guess this slowed down my already 'Under Active Thyroid Slothlike' metabolism to the point where it wasn't burning any fat off.
*My fitness improved and in July was able to start running and doing a lot of exercise. I bought some Nell McAndrew DVDs which are 'Way' hard as well as a great Karen Voight DVD that uses a yoga roller. That combined with my old Cindy Crawford DVDs and eating more food than I can shake a stick at, to this date I have gone from 12st4lbs to 10st6lbs. I've lost 3" off my hips and the same off my waist and can once again fit into some of my nice old clothes. I actually didn't realise just how frumpy I'd been dressing....mainly fleeces and slouchy pants. I can now wear fitted tops, vest and jeans again.
*So...if you've made it this far...well done. I will update my blog with bunny and stitching news later on. As you can imagine, I have had a few finishes in the time since I last posted! I think that's it for now folks...I'll hopefully remember to update things more often. Til then...take care and take it easy.....

2008-07-04T09:48:00.007+01:00

It's been a while....
A long while in fact. I am hoping that in the not too distant future I will start to blog again. I have been AWOL for many reasons, mainly moving house twice and getting married all in the one year, followed by a foot operation, general 'fed up ness', shift changes at work and me basically not being 'arsed' to blog.
I have visited many other's blogs in the meantime tho and have enjoyed catching up with folk. I do know tho, that I'll definately be blogging without obligation and sort of rambling as and when I feel as opposed to trying to post every day, week, month etc.
I've had a lot, and I mean LOT of finishes since my last post, but ironically not the bunny piece
So, famous last words...watch this space....

2007-01-29T12:23:00.000Z

Bunnies, Bunnies, everywhere...
OK so I like bunnies...well, yeh I guess I actually love bunnies. Why not? They are so darned cute after all.
Therefore, I would hazard a guess that it comes as no surprise that I have a bunny themed stitching project on the go. Or indeed that my last finish had bunnies in it, and the one before that...
The latest installment comes courtesy of Anchor. It is called Rabbit Run Sampler, but I cannot find a pic on the web, so I snapped a pic off the front of the cover to show you what the end result will be.

I have stitched the bun in the middle, some carrots and am starting the bunny at the top left.

I added some Wisper thread for the whiskers. Being an Anchor design, it has those dreaded back stitch charts, and to be honest, they really do spoil the project, since other than that, it is a lovely stitch.
The fabric is SMF Peach Grove 32ct Lugana(c).

The previous finish was Lori Birmingham's Tea For Two which is currently hung in my kitchen.

The crease in the middle has now dropped out!
And the previous finish before that was Anagram Diffusion's Couer Rouge Sampler...but as you can see I stitched it in purple!
The thread is Soy Luster Solid in Heliotrope and the fabric is SMF 32ct lugana Impressionism(c)Click the pic for a bigger shot!

It was a joy to stitch. It will hopefully one day turn magically into a pillow!

2007-01-20T17:34:00.000Z

Finally...
I think I have finally managed to migrate over to the new Google version of Blogger. Hopefully I can accept comments again...

2007-01-04T21:49:00.001Z

2007-01-03T13:14:00.000Z

A New Year and New Stitching Goals...
I have finished my Lizzie*Kate afghan (well the stitching part anyway, not the actual finishing)
I have also made in roads into my Bunny Aphabet heart sampler and it should be finished by the end of the month. I am thinking of finishing it as a large heart shaped pillow, but my finishing skills lack to some tune, so when it will get done I have no idea!

So my stitching plans for 2007 are simple. Well my first and foremost is to enjoy stitching!
I would like to finish my Flip-it afghan into something that bears resemblance to an afghan/blanket.
I would also like to stitch at least 6 of my Lavender Wings charts, finish Petal Fairy, TW MM and make a wedding sampler for DBF and I, but that's a LW design so maybe I can count that as one of the 6!
I would aslo like to use more of my SMF's and start either some Miras or a Woodland Scene that I have.
In between I'd like to knit myself some socks.
So far I am on with the socks and am knitting a pair in Opal Owl It is looking lovely so far.

I have just placed an order for Shepherd's Bush Love Letters kit
I have liked this for a long while and will no doubt want to stitch it as soon as it arrives!
I have also ordered Mirabilia's Royal Holiday and the beads and speciality threads to go woth her. I think she would be a nice addition to the Christmas Trimmings in future years.

I have a busy year ahead of me...my house is sold and a move to DBF's imminent, and as of yesterday it is 17 weeks to my wedding...

2006-12-02T09:41:00.000Z

What a great day!...
Yesterday was my birthday! I turned 33. It was probably one of the best birthdays I've had. I had a lie in since I wasn't working so didn't get up til 10 am. DBF had bought me some fab pressies. I love walking as most people know, and as a result I love clothes from Lowe Alpine. They sell samples in Medium and Medium fits me perfectly, so as there is a discount shop near us, we often spend quite a lot in it!
He got me a gorgeous soft fleece hoody in a really nice 'post it' yellow! It is soooooooo suggly it's gorgeous.
He also bought me a grey top that looks like Spidey should be wearing it in the Venom Saga, it will be great for the cooler evenings spent walking. He bought me some shoes from M&S that I'd had my eye on, Brief Encounter on DVD (I so love that film) and a rather splendid micro torch that will clip on my walking bag and can also be used at work.
He also paid for the meal we had with my family, his ma and pa and my best fried so he really did spoli me rotten.
I also got three more tops/t-shirts from Lowe Alpine from his parents, one from his kids ( I told you I loved the stuff!) and my mum got me some sock wool, some dpns and a wonderful Cadbury's advent Calendar.
The great thing about having your birthday on 1st December is that you always get first dibs on the chocolate advent calendars
All in all it was a great day.
So...onto today...I go on holiday
The weather forecast is horrible for the week in that rain, rain , rain and more rain is predicted which is a shame, but at the end of the day, I'll be with DBF a full week in a 5 star cottage in Grasmere!
The only bad thing about going on holiday is that I can't take with me and I miss her terribly. She has turned on the 'oh I'm so cute you really don't want to leave me for a week' face already and my heartstring is already being tugged!
I know she is in good hands though and the best thing about having a friend who still lives at home, is that he is more than willing to spend time at my place looking after both it and the bun whislt I am away.
So no doubt I will see y'all when I get back...

2006-11-26T12:03:00.000Z

Where does time go?...
I have been so busy lately due to the fact that I am selling my house in preparation to move in with DBF. What a stressful process this is. I can't quite believe that I have decided to do this twice within a 12 month period and get married somewhere in between! I guess at least it will be like I've taken several when it is all over!
This is the new image for my life at the mo! As mentioned I am dealing with the house. I have got an offer on it and I have just had the buyer's surveyor round and am waiting to hear back from them. It truly is awful, 'cos until I hear from them, I don't know if they ahve discovered anything on the survey, if so, if they are going to withdraw the offer etc... it is making me feel quite ill on a regular basis!
I am continuing with my walks and have recently been to Robin Hood's Bay and Whitby on a cold and blustery day, but it was great walking along the coastal paths at the top of the cliffs. I aren't so keen on Whitby, but I adore RHB.
You can see and read about it here.
It reminds me so much of Famous Five type adventures and I would have loved to have visited as a child like DBF and his family did. It really is a smuggler's paradise!
We have also been to Byland Abbey which was simply wonderful and a more localish walk in a village called Greenhow which has old disused mines there. I really love my walking and have a holiday planned to Grasmere soon. Hopefully all the windy and stormy weather currently heading for the UK will be over and done with by the time we go away.
I have an ultrasound scan on my foot on Tuesday. I really hope that it clears up the problems I am having. Currently I am n strong anti inflammatories that are doing the trick, but there is obviously still a problem there.
I have started a new WIP It is Just Nan's 4 Wishes. It is a tricky little piece with regards to colour changes, but it is really enjoyable to stitch.
My October Flip-it is done and I am already on with Novemeber.
I had my Stargazer framed and am really pleased with the result.

She is currently at DBF's hung on his staircase.
I also had the Shepherd's Bush Twined Heart framed to give my Mum and step-dad on their 25th Anniversary. They really liked it. Stitching wise that's it but I have had my knitting needles out and made this little top for a friend's baby boy.

Yesterday I finished this pair of socks as a Christmas present. They are the first complete pair I have finished and will be making the little pouch that comes with them on the free pattern. Knit with Opal Elemente in shade 1079.

My darling is eating her forage roughage again so I am hoping she will not stop eating it again. It is a worry when a pet's behaviour changes, esp when they are 'knocking on a bit'. Madam is 6 which is sort of middle aged-elderly in a rabbit so I have to watch her carefully. At present she is sleeping and apparantly dreaming due to the twitching, mumbling and snoring! Bless her...

2006-10-07T09:21:00.000+01:00

A Few Updates...
Sorry guys for the delay between posts. but I have been really busy preparing my house for sale.
After 7 years living in my first owned home, I have decided to up and leave and move in with DBF.
So, it's going up for sale on Monday, and whilst I am sad, nervous and worried that we are going to be cramped in his house, I know it's all for the best and hopefully not for long since we plan to buy a new house together next year. I am hoping for a quick sale and for the asking price, which thankfully the estate agents did value it at.
So apart from painting and decorating, I have managed to finish my OU studies.
I am just waiting for the Computer Marked Assignment result, but have all my Tutor marked assignments. I got 92%, 93%, 98%, 88% and 85% for the five assignments. I am really pleased with these results since it is a long time since I studied and it was nice to get the old grey matter working again.
Walks wise, I have been to a village called Thixendale in the Yorkshire Wolds, Alcock Tarn and Butter Crags at Grasmere, James Herriot country at Thirsk and a couple of local walks. I am really looking forward to going back to the Lakes in December and already have six walks planned for the week!
Stitching wise I have been busy too. I have finished Stargazer and will post a pic when I have her framed. I have also had my treetops framed as well as two other pieces and I have just finished the September flip-it. I have also started Anangram Diffusions Couer Sampler Rouge which I am actually stitching in purple!
A few pics are seen here...

As for the Queen of G...she is titivating herself for the winter and shredding her coat. She actually looks more like the Queen of Scruffiness!

2006-09-04T20:22:00.000+01:00

Another trip to the doctors...
Well, I had to go to my doctor's again tonight. I went a couple of weeks ago with my pet Hooman. That time the doctor just looked in my eyes, tickled my tummy with a thing that looked like a mirror on a string, and then scruffed up my neck and put a sharp thing in it.
I got a head rub tho so I didn't mind.
Today tho, the doctor turned the lights off and shone a torch in my eyes! How rude! I'm always eating carrots, as if I can't see in the dark...I ask you...really...
After that I heard the doctor tell Hooman Claire that she had to keep putting a poultice on my eyes. I'm not sure what she meant, but Hooman does keep wetting some white fluffy stuff and wiping my eyes with it. It has salt in because I've tasted it when I licked the fluffy white thing! I have some spots on my eyelid apparantly...something to do with getting old.
After that, they put me in something that looked like a big bath, but I think it tells them how fat I am. Well I had a hearty breakfast this morning so jumped out very quickly because I didn't want to be embarassed, but Hooman put me back in really quickly. I got another head rub so didn't mind too much.
Then I got turned upside down and the doctor looked at my bottom! Purleeeeeeeeeeeeeease, do they have no shame...
It seemed OK, and the next thing I knew, I had a metal tube put in my mouth which I thought belonged to my water bottle, but no matter how much I sucked on it I couldn't get any water out. The doctor said I had nice teeth so it must have been something to do with them.
I got another sharp thing stuck in my neck and was then allowed to jump back into my cage. I just wanted to get home after all that. Thankfully Hooman now has a car so I just sit on the back seat in my cage and listen to the music on the way home.
I am so glad I only have to do this a few times a year...it really messes with my Beauty Sleep, and we all know how important that is...
Bye for now, as always, my love to my loyal subjects...
The Queen of Gorgeousness...

2006-08-18T12:50:00.000+01:00

Shepherd's Bush Twined Heart HD...
I started this on 12th august and finished it very early this morning.
It is my first attempt at cut work and pulled work and I am fairly pleased with the result. I have stitched it to give to my mum and stepdad later in the year when they celebrate their 25th Wedding Anniversary. I wanted something understated and not to obvious. I just simply added their initials and the '25' to one of the bands.

2006-08-13T17:03:00.000+01:00

A freebie alphabet Heart HD!
I blame Abi! (See her blog 'Bellastitch' in the left hand side bar) She stitched this a week or so ago and when I saw it on her blog I needed it! It's a freebie from the Australian better Homes and Garden.

It is stitched on 28ct SMF Dyonisous Jubilee (c) using just under one skein of DMC 553. I hope to finish it into a pillow, but knowing my finishing skills and patience for things like that, it may be a while...

2006-08-08T13:59:00.000+01:00

Yayyyyyyyyy! I finished the Treetops Sampler!
I finished it this morning and will be taking it in for framing this week. It is a present for my Stepdad who is 70 in October. I have really enjoyed stitching on this piece. The fabric is 32ct Treetops Lugana, very fitting huh?

A close up of the 5th panel can be seen here

2006-07-25T16:32:00.000+01:00

Four down, one to go...
I finished the 4th panel on the TW Treetops(c) pice today. I am still enjoyong this design, I think maybe because it has small HDs.
TFL.

2006-07-13T13:11:00.000+01:00

July Flip-it Hd...

Finished a couple of days ago. I started it at a GTG I went to on the 8th. I do love these little designs...quick HDs!

2006-07-11T12:22:00.000+01:00

Long and (probably) boring - 100 things
Shamelessly borrowed from Little Rach's Blog

1. NAME ONE OF YOUR SCARS, HOW DID YOU GET IT ?
I have a small 'smiley' scar just under my navel resulting from an operation on a hernia I had there when I was born!

2. WHAT IS ON THE WALLS IN YOUR ROOM?
Which room? I'll go with the one I'm in...the kitchen. I have a snoopy clock, a Peter Rabbit 'C' initial ornament, a picture of my bunny and two cross stitch pieces with rabbits on.

3. WHAT DOES YOUR MOBILE PHONE LOOK LIKE?
It's very cool. It is a Nokia 6280 and has a black body glove on it to stop it getting smashed when I drop it!

4. WHAT MUSIC DO YOU LISTEN TO?
Mainly pop, disco, but also anything I find easy on the ear, so I tend not to listen to heavy rock or reggae.

5. WHAT IS YOUR CURRENT DESKTOP PICTURE?

One of my favourite pictures ever!

6. WHAT DO YOU WANT MORE THAN ANYTHING RIGHT NOW?
To be completely happy and not to be made to feel like I am a horrible uncaring person by a member of my family.

7. WHAT DO YOU MISS?
My Aunty Frances. Her birthday would have been too days ago.

8. WHAT TIME WERE YOU BORN?
07.10am

10.WHAT ENDED YOUR LAST RELATIONSHIP?
Well it was actually with my now DF. We spent a year apart, mainly because I was ill and didn't really know it and due to a lot of interference by his ex.

11. DO YOU GET SCARED IN THE DARK?
Not that I am aware of. It would depend on where I am at the time.

12. THE LAST PERSON TO MAKE YOU CRY?
My mum.

13. WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE COLOGNE / PERFUME?
Hugo Boss Deep Red

14. WHAT KIND OF HAIR/EYE COLOR DO YOU LIKE ON THE OPPOSITE SEX?
I have no preference.

15. DO YOU LIKE PAINKILLERS?
Yes. I can't understand those who won't take them!

16. COFFEE OR ENERGY DRINKS?
Coffee. Coffee. Coffee.

17. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE PIZZA TOPPING?
Cheese!

18. IF YOU COULD EAT ANYTHING RIGHT NOW, WHAT WOULD IT BE?
Well I am not hungry at the mo, but if forced to eat something it would be ice-cream since you can never be too full for ice cream!

19. WHO IS THE LAST PERSON YOU MADE MAD?
My mum, but for a reason unknown to man or beast...

20. DO YOU SPEAK ANOTHER LANGUAGE?
I know a little bit of Spanish, could get my way around France but can't speak French really. I can work out written French more than I can speak or write it.

21. WHAT WAS THE FIRST GIFT SOMEONE EVER GAVE YOU?
I have no idea.

22. DO U LIKE SOMEONE?
What weird kind of question is this?

23. ARE YOU DOUBLE JOINTED?
No.I am just very flexible in my joints, more so than is natuarl according to my physio, but no double joints are apparant!

24. FAVORITE CLOTHING BRAND?
Well seeing as I detest shopping for clothes, I'd said Next since they are easy to find and will usually have something that fits me.

25. WHAT'S YOUR DREAM CAR?
If I had the money an Aston Martin DB7, failing that kind of money but still more than I have..a BMW X5.

27. WHAT DO YOU THINK OF MARRIAGE?
I believe that if you want to get married then you should be able to, no matter what gender. I am getting married next year, not because I love DF, I don't need to marry him to show that, and not because I want children. We are mainly marrying for legal purposes regarding wills, property ownership etc. I have loved Df for the last 10 years...being married to him won't alter that but I guess it will be kind of nice to call him my hubby and be known as 'the missus'

28. WOULD YOU FALL IN LOVE KNOWING THAT THE PERSON IS LEAVING?
Hmm it seems to me that people fall in love no matter what the circumstances are.

29. WHAT IS THE BEST WAY TO TELL SOMEONE HOW MUCH THEY MEAN TO YOU?
Outrightly then there is no confusion.

30. SAY A NUMBER FROM ONE TO A HUNDRED:
'A number from one to a hundred!'

31. BLONDES OR BRUNETTES?
Does it really matter?

32. WHAT IS THE ONE NUMBER YOU CALL MOST OFTEN?
DF

33. WHAT ANNOYS YOU MOST?
Drivers who try to get in my boot, drivers who don't know how to indicate on a roundabout, injustice and being told I don't care about anyone other than myself which is SO not true.

34. HAVE YOU BEEN OUT OF ENGLAND?
Yes, Italy and France but that's it.

35. YOUR WEAKNESSES?
Lack of confidence in my appearance and generally caring more about others than I do myself. Sometimes I should just be selfish.

36. WHAT WAS THE LAST GIFT YOU RECEIVED?
A fabulous little Rabbit tape measure from Joy and Lia

37. FIRST JOB?
Collecting money from a paper round and then first proper taxed job was as a knitting maching demonstartor in a department store when I was 17.

38. EVER DONE A PRANK CALL?
Yes, but only as a joke to a friend.

39. WHAT WERE YOU DOING BEFORE YOU FILLED THIS OUT?
Reading Rachels blog!

40. IF YOU COULD GET PLASTIC SURGERY WHAT WOULD IT BE?
I wouldn't. I might not me happy with what I've got, but it's what I was given so I'll make do with it.

41. HOW MANY TIMES HAVE YOU BEEN IN LOVE?
Twice.

42. WHAT DO YOU GET COMPLIMENTED ABOUT MOST?
Hmm my hair by a few people at work, mainly due to it's unbelievable growth rate. I actually don't like it anymore. Other than that I guess my stitching.

43. WHAT WOULD YOU DO IF ALCOHOL BECAME ILLEGAL?
Lock people up if I saw them in possession of it!

44. WHAT DO YOU WANT FOR YOUR BIRTHDAY?
I never want anything. I often tell everyone not to bother.

45. HOW MANY KIDS DO YOU WANT?
Nil point!

46. WERE YOU NAMED AFTER ANYONE?
No.

47. DO YOU WISH ON STARS?
No.

48. WHICH FINGER[S] IS YOUR FAVORITE?
Eh?

49. WHEN DID YOU LAST CRY?
Last week on the phone with my mum.

50. DO YOU LIKE YOUR HANDWRITING?
Sometimes, depends on the pen used.

51. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE VEGETABLE?
God's own...potatoes

52. ANY BAD HABITS?
I pick at hard skin on my feet...gross I know.

53. WHAT IS YOUR MOST EMBARRASSING CD ON THE SHELF?
I don't think I have one.

54. IF YOU WERE ANOTHER PERSON, WOULD YOU BE FRIENDS WITH YOU?
Probably.

55. HAVE YOU EVER TOLD A SECRET YOU SWORE NOT TO TELL?
Not that I can remember.

56. DO LOOKS MATTER?
Yes, of course they do. We have a built in 'acceptability' of what we like and don't like. I wouldn't not be friends with someone because of how they looked, or not date someone because of how they looked, but looks form a first impression of someone, be it right or wrong, so whether we like it or no, looks do matter in the first instance.

57. HOW DO YOU RELEASE YOUR ANGER?
I cry...if I didn't I would develope the mouth of a fish wife and become extremely violent. Crying is the easier option.

58. WHERE IS YOUR SECOND HOME?
DF's

59. DO YOU TRUST OTHERS EASILY?
No.

60. WHAT WAS YOUR FAVORITE TOY AS A CHILD?
My farm.

61. HOW MANY NUMBERS ARE IN YOUR CELL PHONE?
124

62. DO YOU USE SARCASM?
Moi?

64. HAVE YOU EVER BEEN IN A MOSH PIT?
No.

65. WHAT DO YOU LOOK FOR IN A GUY/GIRL?
for a friend, someone who understands me, for a partner loyalty and honesty.

66. WHAT ARE YOUR NICKNAMES?
Scully and Trouble.

67. WHAT IS THE MOST PAIN YOU HAVE EVER EXPERIENCED?
Pain in my knee when I was diagnosed with Complex Regianl Pain Syndrome. It is, in a nutshell, completely abnormal pain. I've also had it in my foot but not to the same degree thankfully.

68. DO YOU UN-TIE YOUR SHOES WHEN YOU TAKE THEM OFF?
Depends on the shoe

69. WHAT WAS THE LAST THING YOU SPILLED?
Probably milk...I do it a lot when pouring it on my cereal.

71.WHAT'S THE LAST FURRY THING YOU TOUCHED?
The bunny.

72.WHAT ARE YOUR FAVORITE COLORS?
Purple, black and brown

73. WHAT ARE YOUR FAVORITE BANDS/SINGERS?
a-ha,
George Michael,
Will Young,
Darren Hayes,
Kylie,
Madonna.

74. HOW MANY WISDOM TEETH DO YOU HAVE?
1 fully and 1 partailly.

75. DO YOU WANT EVERYONE TO ANSWER THESE QUESTIONS?
If they want to.

76. WHO ARE YOU LISTENING TO RIGHT NOW?
Kevin McCloud on Grand Designs.

77. LAST THING YOU ATE?
Two custard cream biscuits.

78.LAST PERSON YOU TALKED TO ON THE PHONE?
DF

79.WHATS THE FIRST THING YOU NOTICE ON THE OPPOSITE SEX?
Their bum...can't trust a man with no bum!

80.FAVORITE THOUGHT PROVOKING SONG?
Hmm can't call this one...it depends on my mood at any given time.

81. FAVORITE THING TO HATE:
Buying clothes for me.

82. FAVORITE DRINK:
Alcoholic: Water Melon Bacardi Breezer or a nice white wine
Non alcoholic: Coffee

83.FAVORITE ZODIAC SIGN:
None...why would I want one?

84.WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE SPORT?
I like watching many sports. I don't really have a favourite any more.

85.WHAT IS YOUR HAIR COLOR?
Very Dark Brown with a hint of red and a grey streak at the back.

86.EYE COLOR?
Blue and White...I kid you not.

88.SIBLINGS?
Only one I care about...a younger Bro. The rest? Who knows how many I have, one bro I dont speak to, one I've never met and I am sure there are more out there...thanks Dad!

89.FAVORITE MONTH?
One that doesn't contain rain or stong winds.

90.DO YOU LIKE SUSHI?
No.

91.LAST THING YOU WATCHED?
Grand Designs.

92.FAVOURITE DAY OF THE YEAR?
One that doesn'train or have strong winds.

93.ARE YOU TOO SHY TO ASK SOMEONE OUT?
No.

94. SUMMER OR WINTER?
Either if they don't have rain or strong winds!

95.KISSES OR HUGS?
Hugs

96.RELATIONSHIPS OR ONE NIGHT STANDS?
Relationships.

97.WHO IS THE MOST LIKELY TO ANSWER THESE QUESTIONS?
No idea.

98. WHO IS LEAST LIKELY TO ANSWER THESE QUESTIONS?
No idea

99. BIGGEST FEAR?
Failing...

100. IS ANYONE IN LOVE WITH YOU?
DF...he tells me he is anyway!

2006-07-05T19:36:00.000+01:00

It's been a while...
I'm sorry for the lack of posts lately (Heather thanks for asking how I am ) I have been a bit busy lately.
I have managed to get back at it, no more foot worries for now, thanks goodness. It's been a busy few weeks due mainly to the weather and the World Cup. But it's great to be back.
I have been to a GTG at Karoline's House which was great and I met up with lots of my stitching friends. This weekend we are off to Kate's House so I am looking forward to that too.
I have finished my June Flip-it which can be seen below.
and also all the first six months.
I've also completed three of the panels on Treetops Sampler and am now a third way through the fourth.

She is as gorgeous as ever and whilst still not eating her hay, has taken to eating her forage again this week, has ripped my new rug (replaced because she ripped the last one) but she is too fluffy and cute for me to get mad. I miss her now I am at work more and at DF's more.
A main reason I have been busy is because I have decided to move in with DF. He's OK with it too, it's not just my decision! So all this means that I have to get my house ready for sale. It needs a small amount doing, mainly decoration to neutralise and freshen up, but it's been so darned hot here, I haven't been able to do it. I have sorted out a plasterer for the attic walls, bought some varnish for the bathroom and kitchen and now need to get wallpaper for one of the walls in my bedroom and a lot of Natural Hessian paint! Then there's the garden....
My studyng has taken a lot of time up too. The programming part of the course has had me stumped, but I finally had a Eureka! momnet this week so it has eased my mind a lot.
And finally...
You may have noticed that DBF has turned into DF. This is also down to another thing that has been kepping me busy. We have decided to get married next May. We are hoping to have either moved into our new home by then or indeed be nearly ready to. So, I guess we are sort of engaged, except I don't want a ring. I worked in a jeweller's so know what a rip off the prices are, also I wouldn't wear it at work and would prolly forget to put it back on when not at work. I've worn an eternity ring for the last three years so what's the point huh?
In the last two weeks I have organised everything, all venues, the cake, the cake topper, the deposits are paid, I know where I am (hopefully) getting my dress from and have sent out informal invites this week. I will be making the formal ones myself as well as the table plan and place settings and have sent off for the trimmings for those.
So where is it to be? It's at Langdale Chase Hotel in the Small Baronial Hall which is the one pictured here
Then onto a boat for a 1hr Lake Cruise on Windermere and then onto here for the evening reception.
it all goes well. Otherwise I'll be throwing a
So that's it for now folks...

2006-05-30T17:27:00.000+01:00

Monthly Round Up...
I have just returned from yet another holiday in the Lake district and have also just got off the phone after booking the next one for December!
I could never, ever tire of the place. This time we stayed at a lovely house called Mere View in Bowness. The views from the picture window were stunning. The owners also own the next one we are staying in, Grey Crag Barn. This one is situated on the fells in Grasmere. Both can be seen at Lakelovers
Grasmere, for those that don't know it, is such a pretty little village and is situated just below the fells that form the Fairfield Horseshoe. DBF and I have climbed Fairfield once before but by the time we got to the top, cloud had set in and we couldn't see further than our hand, which at 893m was a bit disappointing. We hope to complete the horseshoe this time around and also walk up the 'Lion and the Lamb', Helm Crag and Calf Crag.
On the stitching front I have finished my May Flip-it which can be seen below and also the second panel of TW's Treetops Sampler.

I've also made a major decision regarding my house. The building company who are building on the site where DBF and I want to live have had to delay the release until next year, so in the meantime I have decided to sell up and move in with DBF at the back end of the year. I didn't want to move to where he is as it's further away from my family than I'd like, but it's still within an hours drive and it will help to have the money from the sale of my house sat in the bank earning interest until the new houses are built. It's a huge step to take, but the more I think about it, the more I feel it's the right thing to do. Watch this space as they say...

2006-05-10T17:56:00.000+01:00

A mini HD of sorts...
I've finished the first birdie on the TW treetops sampler. I am amazed at how quick this is stitching up for a TW!

One down...four to go...

2006-05-04T14:53:00.000+01:00

A recap and some new goals...
Last Month :I'd like to start and finish my April flip-it, start TW's Treetops Sampler(c) and stitch a large chunk on Mira's Stargazer (c)
Well I managed to finish my flip-it and it can be seen here
I also started the TW and my progress WIP looks like this
I also managed to stitch a decent amount on Stargazer.
This Month: I would like to continue working on Treetops, stitch 10 hrs on Stargazer, stitch the May Flip-it and also completed a SAL of the Just Nan March Hare Ltd edition with Michelle
Last Month:I'd like to be back at work proper by the end of the month.
Not happened since my bosses won't let me yet...
This Month:I'd like to be back at work proper by the end of the month!!!!

Last Month:I'd like to go on a few walks if the weather holds off, and also maybe to go to the gym once this month.
Well I did manage to go out on three lovely walks with DBF but not the gym. However, I am going to hopefully go on either Saturday or Sunday mornings.
This Month: As per above and complete more walks and manage a weeks worth of walking in the Lakes.
Last Month: I've decided to use this icon for jobs around the home, because that's how they usually make me feel! I want to have stained the front garden fence and my garage doors by the end of the month. If I can squeeze in painting part of the kitchen wall and the coving in the back room I'd be more than happy!
Well I did stain both the garage doors and the fence and I also managed to paint the kitchen wall so I was pleased.
This Month:Paint both doorteps and stain all the wooden bits in my bathroom. I would also like to dig over the soil in the front garden in preparation for putting down some gravel.
This Month As for last month...keep up with the studying and obtain a good result in my assignment that is due on 16th. I also want to attend a tutorial and a Java Script day school.

2006-05-01T14:41:00.000+01:00

All Rise Loyal Subjects...
...The Queen of Gorgeousness is in residence! And like any self respecting Queen, I have my own Castle which you can see below.

My Hooman bought me it for my ahem...6th birthday. I heard her say that she can't believe I've been around that long and will probably 'live on to haunt her', whatever that means, but I think really she loves me to bits and thinks, quite rightly, that I am the cuteist bunny in the land.
Like a true Queen, I have two birthdays. Today is my official 'being born' birthday and the second one is 1st July because that's when my Hooman brought me home.
At this point I will point out that I am now eating my hay and my forage grass quite happily. My Hooman finally figured out that I was fed up with eating it out of my larger cage, and that in fact I wanted to eat it out of my smaller cage instead. Once she figured that out and moved it, I started eating it. I'm afraid she isn't as clever as I'd like her to be and it did take quite a while for her to catch on.
Well, I guess I must go and look beautiful somewhere and eat the scrummy broccoli, carrot and celery dish I got presented with.
Oh and my Hooman says to tell you thanks for all the nice comments on her last post, she really appreciates the kind thoughts. So do I, 'cos it's usually me who has to listen to it all and there's only so much a Beauty Queen can take....

2006-04-26T20:08:00.000+01:00

Worrying about the future...
I am really in a pickle...my head is crammed full of thoughts at the moment and I can't seem to work them out.
I'll set the scene. My darling younger DBro has a lot of health problems and I mean a lot. He would never be able to live on his own, put it that way, but is of sound enough mind to know what's going on in the world. In fact the only mental impairment he has is to do with the logic side of his brain. Amongst other things he had a stroke at age 3 months which left the logic part damaged. So what does this mean?
Well basically, he can't do maths, not even 2+2. He doesn't understand money, has no spacial awareness, no judgement of speed, temperature, distance, geography etc. He can speak a bit of Spanish, has a fantastic memory, knows everything and anything about super heroes, films, actors etc and is quite good at history. He can also work a computer. The latter all being dealt with by the creative side of the brain!
Since I bought my house 6 and a bit years ago, I have overpaid on my mortgage. The main reason being so that I could pay it off quicker just in case I had to cut my hours to help with Dbro or indeed finish work. The other part of my plan was to make enough profit when and if I sold my house, to be able to put away a large chunk of money (around £30,000) to go along with the £10,000 I'd already saved up for him.
I was a bit selfish about it all last year and spent some of that money saved (something I said I wouldn't do) to pay for the deposit for my car. I'm quietly confident tho that I can pay that back if I sell the house, or indeed if I pay off the mortgage early then the monthly payments would go straight into my savings account.
Enter DBF....something else I didn't plan for. I always said I wouldn't get married and would live in my own house on my own, but after spending 8 years with the guy, I do want to get married and I do want to get a house with him.
But therein lies my problem...despite the fact that we know where we would like to live,( the place hasn't been built yet but is due to be soon) how can I possibly make that step and take on a big mortgage (the house will be between £250,000-£300,000) when I will eventually become DBro's Legal guardian?
My mum's health isn't all too grand either. I guess 24 years of caring for DBro has seen to that, so I potentially have them both to care for in the future. I have no other family to help so it all falls to me, and I couldn't cope with seeing either of them in state care, which means it comes down to me to either pay private, or do it myself. Neither option is feasible if I have a house and big mortgage with DBF.
It really gets to me, all responsibility, and this blog is merely a rant on my part since I have no one else to tell this all to...so cyberspace is 'getting a dose of it' today.
I've no idea how I will cope, and I feel guilty about being selfish and wanting a big house and a nice car, when DBro is never gonna have either of his own.
I feel so trapped sometimes, most of the time trying to blot everything to my subconscious, but sometimes these nasty thoughts rear their ugly head and won't go away. It's a bit like that this week...

2006-04-22T19:03:00.000+01:00

One down...one to go...
I saw this pattern on Knitty and felt compelled to knit them!
So...I have finished my first sock. It was knitted using some 4ply yarn from my stash, that I don't know the name of since it is well over 10 years old!!!! It is not clear from the pics, but there is a silver thread running through it too.
I am reaaly pleased with the result, esp my grafting since it's the first time I've knit a sock and finished it.

This is it being worn by yours truly with a very interested bunny looking on!

This is it off the foot doing a good impression of a boot!!
I will not be knitting the second one for a while as I have some stitching to do and to be honest, working with dpns causes a lot of pain in my neck and shoulder, so the rest will do it good.
I do see more of them in my future tho, some for me and some for pressies...

2006-04-09T17:25:00.000+01:00

A quick update on Krystal...
More than anything to check out the direct hosting now available from Webshots!

There is 34 hrs on her in this photo. I have since added some beads to the dress and stitched the rest of the grey area.

2006-04-02T16:19:00.000+01:00

April is upon us...
...and true to form, the good ol' UK is wet and windy!
Well it's a while since I set some monthly goals, so I thought it would be a good way to shake off the wintery cobwebs and make some plans.
Here goes...

I'd like to start and finish my April flip-it, start TW's Treetops Sampler(c) and stitch a large chunk on Mira's Stargazer (c) I will maybe post an updated WIP pic of this in a few days.
I'd like to be back at work proper by the end of the month. I have another week's worth of intensive physio coming up this month and I really hope I can get back out and about after that.
I'd like to go on a few walks if the weather holds off, and also maybe to go to the gym once this month. It all depends on my foot really.
I've decided to use this icon for jobs around the home, because that's how they usually make me feel! I want to have stained the front garden fence and my garage doors by the end of the month. If I can squeeze in painting part of the kitchen wall and the coving in the back room I'd be more than happy!
I'd also like to be able to keep up with my work on my Open University course. I managed to get 92% on my first assignment so I guess the daily studying is working somewhat.

I was thinking about posting about the 101 things to do in 1001 days but I really don't know if I have 101 things I want/need to do. I might think of 51 to do in 501 days instead

As for the Queen of Gorgeousness...well she still isn't eating her hay properly. she's snacking on maybe five pieces on a night if she can be bothered. Absolutely wolfing everything else down and jumping on my knee and/or the keyboard if she smells anything remotely like a biscuit...she is still behaving as she usually does and does not seem at all ill so I am really stumped. I'll be calling the vets tomorrow for some more advice.
That's all for now...

2006-03-22T20:22:00.000Z

Hullo...my name is Scully...and I am a rabbit...

...not just an ordinary rabbit tho. I am a nearly six year old furry bundle of gorgeousnous. I know this because everywhere I go, people say things like 'awwwww isn't she lovely' ' ooohhhh look at those cute ears' 'hello gorgeous girl'...you get the idea.
Here I am eating a tasty leaf, showing off my gorgeousness...

I used to really like leaves, the dirtier and crispier the better. I also used to absolutely adore my Timothy Hay and Supa Excel Forage(R)...now tho...I don't want to know the stuff.

My owner hooman, who has the audacity to use the same name as me...keeps putting some in my hutches, my litter tray, the cardboard boxes I like to play with and I am like 'Purrrrrrrrrrrrrrrleeeeeeeeeeeeeeeease...talk to the paw because the mouth ain't interested'

I don't quite know why I've gone off the stuff, especially since I haven't gone off anything else. In fact I have recently honed my 'begging' skills to accumulate some alfalfa slims and vegetable ravioli biscuits.

So, all this week I have been going out on an evening to see my doctors. They have no idea why I have gone off my hay. My teeth look fine, my temperature is fine (I had the humiliation of a thermometer up my bottom), my ears are fine and they can't feel any of the lumps in my tummy that my hooman seems to worry about me getting.
Both the nice ladies wonder if I am a bit 'bunged' up whatever that may mean, because they can't hear my tummy rumbling, so they keep stitcking needles in my neck and then patting me and telling me how brave and lovely I am.

I was in a stroppy mood today tho because they kept me waiting. How dare they! I mean..I know my new carry case is big and roomy (and matches the colour of my hoomans car) but really...you don't keep the Queen of Gorgeousness waiting...

So tomorrow I am off to see them again. I quite like the ride in the car, it's so much better than that horrible bus thing I used to have to go on...it has better music for a start.
Personally I don't know what the fuss is all about, I keep playing the same, sleeping the same and cleaning myself. I did eat two pieces of hay a few moments ago, but then decided to stop again.
Bye for now...I am sure my hooman will let you know how I go on...

2006-03-19T13:39:00.000Z

Introducing Krystal the Stargazer...

I like to name my ladies when I am stitching them! She is of course Mirabilia's (c) Stargazer. She is stitched on 32ct SMF Luna lugana and there is 18hrs and 56mins stitching.
I am really enjoying her, but I am so glad that I'm beading as I go since there are tons of 'em!!!

2006-03-08T00:36:00.000Z

Another Flip-it...
I just finished this month's flip-it.

I am really enjoying these little designs. i have also stitched the flipped month name which can be seen here.
I will now go back to my newest WIP...Mirabilia's Stargazer, which I started last week...

2006-03-08T00:21:00.000Z

Catch up if you can...
I haven't been around much lately, I know. I have been busy. A few days after my last post I went away for a couple of days to the Lakes again. It was lovely and the weather was good to us, despite the coldness.
I actually don't mind the cold as long as it is sunny.
I managed a couple of low level walks during the days, but paid for it by evening time, but hey ho...no pain no gain huh?
I then went away for another few days to receive some intensive physio on my foot. I pay into a scheme through work. It involved a lot of work in the hydrotherapy pool which was fabulous, and also a lot of putting my foot in a cuff that was filled with ice. Absolute bliss!!
My fears were confirmed about my foot tho. My fracture is prolly well and truly healed now since it should normally take between 6 to 8 weeks for that kind of injury to heal. My problem is this.
It seems that for some reason, I am prone to this disorder. I have unfortunately suffered from it before when I had a problem with my knee a few years back. On that occasion it took drug therapy and nerve blocks to cure, but thankfully this time around physio and normal painkiller treatments are working.
The physio took a look at my foot and once she knew my history told me that without a shadow of a doubt, CRPS had returned in my foot. It really does explain why an injury that should have healed in 6 to 8 weeks is now into it's 5th month!
So I'll be back for another weeks physio in about 4 weeks and then I should be able to get back to full duties at work...

2006-02-19T19:31:00.000Z

My name is Scully and I am a Telly Addict...
...it's official...I love my TV. I adore my Sky+ Box...they are an integral part of my life. I share this addiction with my DBF and to a lesser extent with my friend.
I am off away to the Lakes again for a few days tomorrow, with DBF. We have chosen a place that has Sky TV installed
We aim to be out for most of the day walking, well as long as my dodgy foot will allow me, but can't face the prospect of having to live with 'normal' tv on an evening when we are relaxing our aching legs.
We both watch Sky News and miss it dreadfully when we are on holiday. We both have separate Sky+ boxes (since we have separate houses) but have decided that when we move in together within the next year, we will still have our own Sky+ boxes. We like to tape different things, you see.
My friend will be looking after my house whilst I'm away, and of course my darling bunny. I think he rather likes it when I am on my hols, since he gets control of my Sky...he still lives at home...
So what's on my planner?
Sundays: Invasion (E4) 24 Series 5(Skyone) and any other good show that the BBC usually have on on Sunday evenings. Last few weeks it was The Virgin Queen.
Mondays: Life on Mars (BBC1)Balderdash and Piffle(BBC2)Smallville (E4)CSI:Miami (Living Tv)
Tuesdays: CSI: Vegas (Channel 5) Battlestar Gallactica (Skyone) Medium (BBC1)
Wednesdays: Relocation,Relocation (Channel 4)Desperate Housewives(E4)
Thursdays: Charmed (Living Tv) Super Vets (BBC1) Cold Case(Skyone) Bones(Skyone) ER(E4)
Fridays: are actually free although I did have Threshold on when that was running
Saturdays: Harry Hill's TV Burp (ITV1) CSI:NY(Channel 5)
This is not an exhaustive list...if there's something else that's on around all these programmes then I watch it. I guess I have to justify the Â£42.50 I spend each month...

2006-02-11T22:15:00.000Z

Word Cloud...
I pinched this from Gill's blog!

They didn't have purple to choose from so I chose chocolate instead. It sounded nice!
You can have a go here

2006-02-06T17:58:00.000Z

Where did January go?...
I can't believe we are a week into February already!
Well, I have been a little busy. I have started a course with the Open University. It's called Data, Computing and Information. Sounds interesting eh?
So far I have read the first unit and started the first assignment and am doing OK. I have to score 40% on each assignment and there are 4 over the year, with a final one at the end of the course but I need 35% for that. There is also a computer marked multi choice test which I will need to get 40% on to pass the course.
I am hoping to put all this towards a degree in Computing and Maths, but it will take some time, prolly about 7 years!
On to some hds...

This is the February Flip-It by Lizzie*Kate (c)
It is the second part of my planned afghan. Here's the first row.

Click this one for a bigger link.

I have also finished two more chemo caps.

That's all for now folks. Hopefully it won't be so long before the next post...

2006-01-23T22:41:00.000Z

The second chemo cap...
I mentioned in my other post that I was going to knit a floppy brim hat. Well here it is, in purple chenille. It is very warm and snuggly! It will be perfect for the Winter to Spring season change since we are still having quite cold days here.

2006-01-20T20:54:00.000Z

Four Things You Love Meme...
Kitty tagged me with this so here goes...

Four Things You Love About Spring
1. Seeing flowers start to come into flower
2. Crisp sunny days, with blue cloudless skys.
3. The fact that the daylight is starting to get longer
4. The fact that you can sometimes dry your clothes outside on the line.

Four Things You Love About Summer
1. Blue skies and nice warm sun.
2. Being able to go out for long rides on my bike even late on in the evening.
3. Being able to wear my big platform soled sandals
4. The even longer daylight hours

Four Things You Love About Autumn
1. Seeing all the leaves change colour
2. Sunny days with pinky tinges to the sky
3. Holidays and going out for walks
4. The fact that the lawn doesn't need to be cut as often!

Four Things You Love about Winter
1. The possibility of snow
2. Cold, fresh and brisk sunny days.
3. My central heating.
4. My birthday is in Winter.

Four U.S. Cities that You’d Visit in a Heartbeat
1. Boston
2. Chicago
3. Seattle
4. San Francisco

Four Funniest Movies (in no partic. order)
1. About a Boy
2. Carry on Cruising
3. Austin Powers International Man of Mystery
4. Best in Show

Four Tear-Jerkers (in no partic. order)
1. Stepmom
2. Bambi
3. Lassie
4. Somewhere in Time

Four Most Romantic Songs
Hmmm...well I actually don't think of any song as being romantic...just not an emotion I have about music!

Four Songs That Make You Happy
1. You are the One by a-ha
2. Love at First Sight by Kylie
3. Hand on your Heart by Kylie
4. The Ketchup Song by Las Ketchup!

Four Favorite Singers/Groups (in no order)
1. a-ha
2. Madonna
3. Kylie
4. Rick Astley

Four All-Time Favorite TV Shows
1. Thw X-Files
2. 24
3. Charmed
4. Smallville

Four Things You Love About Where You Live
1. The closeness to the canal and river
2. My neighbours
3. The piece and quiet
4. The many fileds and tracks to go out on my bike on.

Four Things You Don't Like About Where You Live
1. The wind
2. The wind
3. The wind
4. The wind

Four Favorite Meals
1. Mashed potatoes, spouts, peas and onion gravy
2. Jacket potato with sour cream or creme freche
3. Ceasar Salad
4. Crunchy nut cornflakes

2006-01-20T20:44:00.000Z

A Small knitting HD...
A friend/colleague from my team at work was diagnosed with breast cancer in November. She is only 28.
Well she has started chemo this week so I have told her that I will knit her some caps. This is the first one modelled by me some minutes ago, not my friend!

I have knit a slightly bigger size for her since I think she will be able to wear this after the first few sessions of chemo when her hair is thinning and not yet lost. I thought it might be a good prep stage as I think this particular pattern is quite trendy! In fact I'm considering knitting myself one.
It is pattern #14 form Headhuggers
It is knitted using a 100% acrylic yarn since I have read that wool based yarns can be itchy.
I will be knitting #12 in a purple chenille next.

2006-01-12T23:07:00.000Z

It's taken a while...
...but I can now HD my Teresa Wenztler Castle Sampler.

As usual click on it for a bigger picture!
It was started in 1998!
I did, in my defence put it down after I'd stitched the castle and didn't pick it up again until 2003! Then I stitched the alphabet borders, two figurines and part of the ivy borders. However, I got fed up with it and threw it in a cupboard. (I blame the very difficult to read hand drawn chart!)
I picked it up again on 28th Dec 2005 having found it in said cupboard and had a pang of guilt. I am so pleased to have it finished and will take it in for framing sometime in the not too distant future...

2006-01-01T16:55:00.000Z

A New Year and a New HD!
I started this last night and finished it this afternoon. It is stitched on an afghan cloth which has 24 squares to stitch on. It took approx 10hrs in all which included picking the colours as I went along :lol Nothing like being prepared!

It is the Lizzie*Kate Flip-it for January. It has a single row border to go around it but I can't decide on the colour yet. I am planning on stitching the word of the months in the squares next to the Flip-its so will stitch the border in whatever colour I stitch the month name in :) The snow, snowflakes, sheep and hat trim are stitched using a fuzzy floss from Ozark Sampler. I am leaving the charms off since it will be a throw when it's done.

I'll be posting a review of 2005 in a few days...til then...Happy New Year to you all!!!!

2005-12-28T12:44:00.000Z

A Couple of Happy Dances!
I finished this map of the Lake District for a pressie for DBF, thus couldn't blog about it!
As usual, click for a bigger picture. You can also see a close up of some of the details on the map Here
The little mark above the word Windermere represents my crutch 'cos that's where I broke my foot, and the blue blob near the word Ken (for Kendal) represents the hospital where I was treated! DBF loved this, and had no idea he was getting it as a pressie. (We live in separate houses at the mo, so he will have it to himself for a while)
Onto the next one...
I converted Lavender and Lace Celtic Autumn (c) to colours I thought more fitting of the Autumn season. Here she is!

I am really pleased with the finished result. She will go with my Celtic Spring (c) and the other two seasons when I stitch them! I will frame them at the same time as I would like matching frames.
I have now started a rabbit sampler at DBF's and have picked up TW's Castle Sampler(c) which I have as a nearly finished WIP.
Happy stitching everyone!

2005-12-15T19:30:00.000Z

2005-12-10T10:35:00.000Z

No other title was deemed suitable to head this post! Those of you who read Kate's Blog will know that we both went to see a-ha in concert this week. I went to see them at the Manchester Evening News Arena on Tuesday and Kate in Nottingham on Friday thanks to my enabling!
To set the scene...a-ha came into my life back in 1984...I was 11. I wasn't interested in boys other than as mates and the only crush I'd had by that age was on Andrew Ridgley from Wham!. Well the poor Wham! boys posters soon got replaced by the many a-ha posters I accumulated over the next few years, and I fell in love BIG time with Morten Harket. I don't think I had ever seen anyone I thought THAT beautiful!
Not only that, but his voice did strange things to me...it made me feel things I didn't know I was capable of feeling...sorrow, mourning, pain, passion and beauty.
I became their biggest fan, I even visited the local cobblers to buy strips of leather to tie around my wrist! They stayed on my wrists until they rotted off. I also had the baseball boots and the big socks and then...they came to play live in my home town when I was 13. I was sooooooo excited, I saved up my pocket money, looked up the bus timetables and then was completely gutted when my mum said I was too young to go. You have no idea of how much I cried. I had to be content with the cassettes and the posters. I even had a pillow case with them on so could 'next to' my beloved Morten.
...Fast Forward to May 2005...I own all the albums they had released up to press (except the special edition European ones) From Hunting High and Low to Memorial Beach, the Greatest Hits collections and the lesser known Minor Earth, Major Sky and Lifelines albums. I was a regular visitor to the website!!! Then, I knew my lifelong ambition was going to be fulfilled when I saw on the site that they had announced the tour dates for the UK. The closest to me being Manchester and only 5 days after my 32nd birthday. So I got to the 'select payment' part of the online ticket ordering site and phoned DBF. I don't quite think he knew what to do with his screaming, hyper girlfriend at this stage other than to say 'Yes I will go with you' and that was it...that left finger clicked and my tickets arrived a few days later.
My pot came off my leg the day before the concert, and I had to walk a mile from the car park to the arena with my crutch...but I did not care one iota.
I only felt the pain in my foot during the warm up act and the minute I heard that voice, the pain subsided. They played 20 tracks in their two hour slot and I was amazed at how brilliant they were. They sang 'Living a Boys Adventure Tale' which is too beautiful to describe, it was a gem of a treat. All the old stuff, and some new stuff. I proudly sat there in my tour t-shirt bought minutes earlier by my ever suffering DBF and openly lusted over another man. So I have a lot of thank yous to say...
Thank You to you 'upstairs' for letting my pot come off the day before...
Thank You to DBF for driving me all the way there and back and not minding that I was openly drooling over another man...
and lastly Thank You Morten for being as delicious as I remembered you and for making my soul sing with that voice of yours...I am complete...

2005-12-03T14:51:00.000Z

So here's the round up I was on about...

Well, November has been a long, long month despite it's 30 days! I have mainly been at home or at DBFs with a couple of outings to the cinema and for something to eat.
Despite having a walking support shoe, after a while, my leg and foot do start to ache when I'm up and about, so I have to be careful. I don't want this thing on much longer.
One of the outings was to the Knitting and stitching show in Harrogate. I was kindly driven there by Little Rach. We had a wander around for about 2 hours whereby I spotted some yarn I thought was gorgeous, knitted up into a shawl. However, typically it was out of stock! It was from Get Knitted and can be seen here. I ordered some when I got home, in the Peacock shade. It is knitting up beautifully.See for yourself!
We then met up with a few other stitchers, namely,Karoline and her MIL,Paula,Kate, Amanda and her family and Lancashire Lassie, Pat.
I had a really good day. It was miserable weather so it was a good distraction.
Other than that, not a lot has happened...
Bunny has been just plain adorable! She has behaved so well lately, not that she's bad normally, but she's been extra good. I think she must sense that I'm not quite 'on the mark' and has therefore turned up the charm! To be honest, she is prolly glad of the company she's been having whilst I'm off work...all that extra pampering
I have started a map of the English Lake District and am approx 2/3rds through. I'll be stitching some more when I've finished blogging. I hope to finish in the next week before I lose interest
Other than that, it's been my knitting needles that have been in use. I posted the baby stuff I'd finished and I'll post another this week. I've also started the shawl and finished the front of another incomplete child's cardigan Only the sleeves and another front to do!
This is more apt for my life at the mo...I turned 32 two days ago and had a fab day, receiving lots of lovely pressies and cards. I have more pressies to come as my friend was late ordering them, and my God-daughters family always wait for me to go collect them I usually end up collecting both birthday and Christmas pressies together
My pot hopefully comes off on 5th December for good, I don't want a 4th one! Then it's physio I expect and back to work as soon as I can!
Thanks for reading...I hope December is a good month for you all...

2005-12-03T14:45:00.000Z

A Round up and some new Monthly Goals...

December Goals

Finish a map of the Lakes	Get my pot off!	Do some exercise on my bike
Work on Celtic Autumn	Paint bottom half of kitchen wall	Do any physio I may have to
Work on my knitted shawl	Sort out front garden	Go to gym at least once if possible with my foot!

Hopefully I will be able to achieve these. I also have to finish off a knitted bag for a Christmas present. It only needs lining but I can't get out at the mo to get the required fabric. I should be able to in the next couple of weeks.

2005-11-22T18:16:00.000Z

Me, Myself and I...

...or rather, Me, my DBF and my friend!

They were created at the South Park studio
The likeness to me is so scary it's untrue! Even DBF had to agree with me. I am always in sloppy clothes, my hair is scraggy no matter how hard I try for it not to be, and if I could permanently have an ice-cream in my hand, I would
DBF loves his coffee so he had to have one in his picture and my friend fancied being in an exotic location!
Thanks to Gill for finding the website.

2005-11-17T21:57:00.000Z

A couple of knitting hd's
About a year and a half ago I started to knit a baby cardigan. I can't remember who it was for but I didn't finish it. I knit a sleeve, the back and one front. Two days ago I decided to finish it so I did!

As I put the yarn away (which is a DK on the cone, Branwell I think) I found a little twinset and bonnet that I had made a similar length of time ago. It is for a premature baby. I intended to donate it to a local hospital but never got around to putting buttons on it or ribbon on the bonnet. So as the cabled cardigan needs buttons too, I should pay a trip to the haberdashery!

I also found a jumper that only needs sleeves so am onto that now and should HD that in a couple of days...

2005-11-13T16:21:00.000Z

So I'm a Fairy Princess eh?...

The Fairy Princess

You are youthful, cheery, and exuberant with a sunny disposition and a mischievous sense of humor. You are very lively and are always upfor a good bit of fun. You have a deep love of nature and animals.

I can live with that!

Role Model: Titania

You are most likely to: Convert a pumpkin into a useful mode of transportation.
What Kind of Princess are You? - Beautiful Artwork (Original Music is BACK!!!)
brought to you by Quizilla

2005-11-11T18:57:00.000Z

Scarves of hope HDs...
I have knitted two more Christmas pressies. They are both from the Scarves of Hope from Fiddlesticks knitting.
They are knit with the Country Silk yarn in Pewter and Wine. The Pewter one will go with a set of Oceanus bath range and the Wine one with some of the Moonflower bath range, both from the Body Shop. The Pewter is for DBF's mum and the Wine for my friend's mum. They have yet to be blocked but you get the idea!

They both took approx six hours each.

Zohrah...to answer your question...John doll is 24" from the top of his head to the tip of his toes!
That's all for today...I am not in the mood to blog I'm afraid. I feel a bit run down at the mo. Hopefully come Monday I will feel a bit better

2005-11-04T14:05:00.000Z

Ponchos, ponchos everywhere!...
Poor old John doll has had to do some modelling again! click on the image for bigger pics.

They are all pressies for friend's children. They knit up very quickly and were all knitted since 9th October!

2005-11-01T23:51:00.000Z

Look what happens...
...when you leave your food cupboard door open, whilst being distracted by talking to your friend...

What a cheek she has the little thief! She didn't manage to steal the pumpkin mix, but she did snaffle some digestive biscuits!

2005-10-31T12:39:00.000Z

Strictly Come Happy Dancing...
I have finished another M Designs letter. This time 'A' for my DBro. I started it this week and finished it yesterday. It is stitched on SMF Dragon Moon © 32ct lugana using Dinky Dyes Daydreams © silk.

I don't know why the fabric always looks a bit weird on the photos of these letters, maybe there is just too much going on!

on another note...Strictly NOT Dancing...
I went back to fracture clinic today and when the pot was taken off my foot, it revealed a lot of bruising still, together with soreness. Bad news is they re-potted it, good news is, I begged for a smaller pot and they gave me it. So still no driving, work or exercise, but at least with my 'trainer sock style' pot on I can scratch my leg when it itches...

2005-10-25T19:08:00.000+01:00

Rabbits are fickle creatures...
well at least my little is! She has never been one for cuddles as in sitting on my lap cuddles. She loves to have her head rubbed, she adores to have her ears scratched and there's nothing she likes more than having me lay at the side of her and stroke her like she is the Queen of the Bunny Kingdom! That is nothing...unless it's a treat or something she shouldn't be eating. Oh, then I become her favourite place to sit on...my lap has never been so comfy.
This bun can hear a 'treat' rattle at 50 paces. I used to be safe with salt and vinegar crisps...the smell turned her away...I used to be safe...
There I was happily sat at the pute eating a pack of said mentioned crisps partly cos I just wanted crisps for tea, and partly because in a strange sick and sordid way, the salt and vinegar painfully helps me with the horrendous mouth ulcers I have at the mo.
All of a sudden, 'DOOF', the bundle of fluff appeared on my lap and without a seconds notice, turned a 180 and dove her head straight into the open packet. What a monster. Before I had chance to move her, the head went back in for more and I was yet another crisp down. So I used the grooming tactic method of removal and inspected her nails. This had her flying off onto the floor before I could blink and gave me the chance to put the crisps on the desk.
I now have a furry version of Dickens' Oliver stood on her back feet looking up at me in her bestest begging pose!
Once the crisps have gone, that'll be it...she'll have no interest in me until she wants her head rubbing, and then she may deem me useful enough to grace me with her attention. Like I said...rabbits are fickle creatures...

2005-10-23T21:33:00.000+01:00

It's the weekend...what did you do?
I 've had an up and down weekend. I do not make a good patient. I like to do things my own way, when I want to and how I want to. This means that I aren't very good at either asking for help when I need it, or accepting help when it's offered. Result? I do it all myself and get frustrated about everything!
I've mentioned before that I am a bit of a control freak, well ok...a lot of a control freak. So that's why I find myself getting A) paranoid about how clean my house is and B) getting paranoid about how clean I am.
On reflection, it's probably something else that is manifesting in that blob called the brain, inside my rather thick skull, it just comes out as paranoia about cleanliness.
I am sure there are many people who can attest to the fact that my house is clean and tidy, yet I still found myself balancing on my hall stairs with the vac yesterday morning! Thankfully it has a long reach hose so got most of them done from the bottom step...the landing will just have to wait.
Then there's the bathroom, it's had more anti-bacterial spray sprayed in it since I hurt my foot that I am sure Dettol are gonna ask me to buy shares in their company
It's the same with the kitchen...if something stays static for more than 30secs it gets sprayed, not once, not twice, but three times for good measure. Maybe that's why bunny is always zooming around in there, she's worried she'll get sprayed if she stops in the kitchen part of the lounge/kitchen!
Then there was the washing, which will result in ironing, which I cannot leave to fester in the cupboard even tho I won't be using that particular set of bedding for another month.
You see, I know that these things aren't important, and I am actually resting my leg as the docs have said. I am just choosing to do the weight bearing practice whilst doing chores
So that was the upside of the weekend...the downside is that I get lonely very quickly. I am not a big social , and am really a home bird at heart, but I miss work, I miss the chat with my colleagues, I miss the banter, the jokes, the laughing at some of the idiots that I deal with. Bunny does her best but, like Gromit, she never talks back.
My sanity was saved on Thursday night when two stitchy/knitty friends visited and we had a great evening...thanks Karoline and Little Rach! Other than that my DBF has been doing a sterling job laughing at me when I can't get upstairs properly, or get my shoe on, or fall over the door step...at least I have that to cheer me up!
Hope your weekend was more tantalising than mine...but as always...there's always someone in a worse state so, excuse the rabbitting on...

2005-10-22T20:05:00.000+01:00

She just gets cuter!...
This was the picture I was met with when I returned back into the room, having told bun I 'wouldn't be long' when I went upstairs. She usually waits near the door for me to get back (I block off the doorway so she can't get behind the computer or into the hall in order to run upstairs!) I couldn't resist taking a shot of this little pose, she just laps it all up, the little drama queen! The picture is a little 'fuzzy' because it's taken on my mobile phone, not my camera.

What I would do without her is beyond me...everyone should have a furbaby to come home to...

2005-10-21T17:03:00.000+01:00

Neutral's good...I like Neutral...
I've seen this on a few blogs but never posted my results before...I think!
This time round I pinched it from Karoline's Blog

Which flock do you follow?

this quiz was made by alanna
Like I said...I like neutral and I do think it sums me up...I don't follow anything religiously, I sort of take ideas from a lot of things and go with that. As for following fashion...don't make me laugh!

2005-10-15T17:48:00.000+01:00

A knitting hd!...
I finished my first poncho. I know I said I was gonna start next week, but the call from the scrummy yarn was louder than the stitching!

I apologize for the blurriness...the camera did focus, but I think as it took the picture, the lighting and all the colours drove it mad!
This is for a 1 year old and the model, since I have no children of my own, is my very old doll John (named after my Granddad). No-one else likes him they think he is creepy, but I love him as he holds special memories for me. Under the poncho he is wearing an outfit that my little bro used to wear, just before he had a stroke at 3 months and it was always my fave. When he grew out of it I blagged it for John!
The poncho is knitted in a pink multi shimmer type yarn on 4.5mm needles, and it took 3 50gm balls. It took about 10hrs to complete.
So...one down...two to go...

2005-10-14T21:29:00.000+01:00

Open University...here I come...
I have thought about studying with the OU for a long, long time. I originally thought I might have a go at maths, as I had always planned to get a maths degree when I was younger, but things changed and I ended up doing the job I do now. I don't regret it for a moment as I love, love, love my job, but I have recently started thinking that it would be good to have a qualification to fall back on.
So, I decided on something to do with computing and had a look around the OU website. There are lots of courses I think I would like to do and the first one is Data, Computing and Information
I think this will be really informative and interesting, and to be honest I think I'll be able to pick it up and learn it quickly.
Before I started this blog I knew nothing about HTML or anything like that, and by just playing around and looking stuff up on the net, I am now sometimes able to fix other's blog templates, BB sig lines and the likes. Now I am no genius, I appreciate that, and there are loads of people out there who are far cleverer than me when it comes to computing, but I figure you have to start somewhere, right?
I sent off my registration form today and will start the course in Feb 2006

2005-10-13T12:48:00.000+01:00

Some stitching and knitting plans...
OK so I have some time on my hands...at least three weeks to be precise as that is how long I have the new cast on my foot for.
I am not grumbling or whinging too much tho as it could be worse, and there are many people out there who have more than a foot in pot to contend with. As I see it...it happened for a reason. His Nibs had a plan and even tho I don't know what that is/was...I am sure it was all meant to happen!
So, as I said before I rabbitted on...I have some stitching and knitting plans.
I am giving myself this week to keep working on my new WIP. An Olde World Map from the Janlynn Platinum Collection.
Here is my progress so far.

I am really enjoying stitching it. It is usually my project at DBFs as that's where it will end up, but I took it on my hols and got slightly addicted to it
Then comes my list of gifts to do!
I have bought a pattern for some ponchos to knit in three different colours for my friend's girls for Christmas. The yarn is similar to Wendy shimmer, but it is called Needles and can be found here
I have the wine/pink, the pink multi and the kingfisher blues. They are all adorable!
I also want to knit a cabled poncho for my friend's niece with matching beret, so will have to get a move on.
I also have a cross stitch planned for someone but they could well be reading...so I have to keep that underwraps for now.
As you can see, I will be fairly busy and hopefully will achieve this all by Christmas.
So that's it for now...I will post progress pics...