tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4342527479293099862024-02-18T23:23:51.176-08:00MinxyMakesMinxyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08604687238935818476noreply@blogger.comBlogger23125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-434252747929309986.post-65879037523424951052013-02-28T08:33:00.000-08:002013-02-28T08:33:05.615-08:00Scrap HappyI love 4ply yarn. I'm very much a process knitter, always enjoying the making more than the finished object, and the yardage on thinner yarn means more knitting time for the cash; or bang for your buck if you prefer.
I knit quite a few socks. And am hoping to knit more shawls. Which inevitably means lots of leftovers. Skeins are generally sold in 100g lots, and I only have little feet. So what to do with all those little balls of colourful loveliness?
A couple of years back, I knitted my mitred square blanket, and got a few pfers on the case too!
Well, now the scraps are piling up again...........
I've been searching for mini skein projects again and have found the perfect thing. Not another blanket (I'm not mad!) but a scarf. It uses linen stitch to give the effect of a woven fabric. Lovely to look at but very slow going. I anticipate this will be a long term project. Ideal for commute knitting as no pattern is needed, but it's not as mindless as you might think. I've already made loads of mistakes, but luckily it's quite forgiving. What do you think?
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD4ukW-KnPyMHtgKQXdW_bQ-R5sUjap7VmLwGtyTMpCqXXHLhglgToWSMURPBlhEFRE0wmwdngdJGB_nv-war1X0fFptqVuc_hMaDnLOYnfyN3_BSIS3rHdSJDa24PupMWz7uQjV-oZgUo/s1600/IMAG0313_zpsd9a985bd.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD4ukW-KnPyMHtgKQXdW_bQ-R5sUjap7VmLwGtyTMpCqXXHLhglgToWSMURPBlhEFRE0wmwdngdJGB_nv-war1X0fFptqVuc_hMaDnLOYnfyN3_BSIS3rHdSJDa24PupMWz7uQjV-oZgUo/s320/IMAG0313_zpsd9a985bd.jpg" /></a>Minxyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08604687238935818476noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-434252747929309986.post-51269901635828291182013-02-28T08:30:00.001-08:002013-02-28T08:30:09.744-08:00Sex Bo-bomb*OH loves the film Scott Pilgrim but I hated it. I thought it was full of completely unsympathetic wankery characters, he said I was missing the point.
Anyway, he wanted a hat. And with the snow falling fast, I thought I'd better get my knit on. He's a conservative chap my fella, but I felt he should try something different to his usual beanies. I found an online pattern for the hat worn by the eponymous Pilgrim, and even though the droopy nightcap style would normally send my OH running screaming into Marks and Spencer, the character endorsement meant he was much more enthusiastic. A bit like Stanley with Scooby Doo underpants. Bless my men.
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLjfaC2uV5RP6lK93wMbyQws0BqMDQoi7cLmJO2m3Ea1sfl8mDiHRYaUzDJfJh6jSuhUzkc_Y3sPk_J5jRqNUu3-9W2G4y8hdbOx2wOZ9IuVwUtbjJp2soXOaCiH3cVxDPZsimpPSt_V3A/s1600/scotthat1_medium.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLjfaC2uV5RP6lK93wMbyQws0BqMDQoi7cLmJO2m3Ea1sfl8mDiHRYaUzDJfJh6jSuhUzkc_Y3sPk_J5jRqNUu3-9W2G4y8hdbOx2wOZ9IuVwUtbjJp2soXOaCiH3cVxDPZsimpPSt_V3A/s320/scotthat1_medium.jpg" /></a>
Nothing much to report on the knit. Straightforward, garter stripes. I used Rowan Pure Wool which I enjoyed despite it's strange cotton-y hand, and teamed it with a random blue 4ply I'd been gifted, held double.
I think he liked it.
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl3yLjTXRWAcRPGbH6dx4n_vVJIxs8VvG9coUni-y8PcCgat-d69T-wggsMVjIP4GYHux_vzQf3qWWxmoicEJ8RxktFoCUxGQ3xLYg7fjklnVLojQCqeQL2QTuP7NdOnU4csoKl2h7ZT4H/s1600/IMAG0309_medium2.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl3yLjTXRWAcRPGbH6dx4n_vVJIxs8VvG9coUni-y8PcCgat-d69T-wggsMVjIP4GYHux_vzQf3qWWxmoicEJ8RxktFoCUxGQ3xLYg7fjklnVLojQCqeQL2QTuP7NdOnU4csoKl2h7ZT4H/s320/IMAG0309_medium2.jpg" /></a>
On it's first outing, he was cornered by two coy Japanese schoolgirls, who pointed at his head and giggled 'Scott Pilgrim!!'. Made his day.
* Scott Pilgrim's 'band'. Yes, the quotation marks are deliberate.Minxyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08604687238935818476noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-434252747929309986.post-29049806341313383332013-02-28T08:24:00.001-08:002013-08-28T08:55:01.791-07:00Literary KAL
In addition to my official knitting 'queue' this year, I have also joined a KAL (knit a long). Hosted by the Knitting Goddess forum on Ravelry, this involves knitting one item per month to fit in with a literary theme.
Each month has an author's name, and the FO (finished object) must have a link to that author. It can have a pertinent pattern name, yarn name, or a link to the designer. Anything really; the best thing about KAL is how open to interpretation they are.
We are only given the three months ahead. So January is Dickens, February is Shakespeare and March is Agatha Christie. I've been looking for accessory patterns, mainly so I can fit them in! I'm also hoping some things can double up for gifts I have planned throughout the year.
For Dickens month, I have opted for Pip Squeak socks, tenuously inspired by the hero of Great Expectations. I was hoping for a lacy Miss Haversham pattern, but it seems there is a lack. Designers, take note!
The socks are ankle length, so a nice quick knit. And, as always, perfect for my never ending bus commutes. The yarn is Trekking XL, a German brand I have had in stash for years. I can't even remember how I came by it.
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjamCBC2bamISyjx-ZTgjmAiBLkdVmoM-4_5NHQ0EZMEsormEf7u-QILzbO6rj4hDmChZIU7zgWPVWJSUl-rkMyPdgrqarVgGARZuiMpkxwPBskqj6Foy5r4DXYyPkcXwgwhXgirlHd_l5U/s1600/jansocks.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjamCBC2bamISyjx-ZTgjmAiBLkdVmoM-4_5NHQ0EZMEsormEf7u-QILzbO6rj4hDmChZIU7zgWPVWJSUl-rkMyPdgrqarVgGARZuiMpkxwPBskqj6Foy5r4DXYyPkcXwgwhXgirlHd_l5U/s320/jansocks.jpg" /></a>
The colour warms me up just looking at it!Minxyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08604687238935818476noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-434252747929309986.post-77042280522275193842011-06-30T03:29:00.001-07:002011-06-30T03:40:38.972-07:00What a tangled web...Toddlers and yarn. Like chocolate and cheese, or red wine and cola, they come under the category of Things I Love, but they should probably never be put together.<br /><br />This week I bought a ball of Wendy Happy sock yarn, from my brand new and super cool LYS <a href="http://www.fibreflurry.co.uk/">Fibre Flurry</a>. Whilst it was all wrapped up in a pretty pink bag and on a high(ish) shelf, it took only twenty minutes for The Diva to find it. Wendy Happy is a bamboo yarn, which means it's silky, slippy and..................very easy to tangle.<br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhORVop2Mg_6s3plR51bEGtBfgqfwb-VBG2ewIsG6-gcQ_CtC5MkDFbON4sRJWfcMlDJ-UcWraDzXsOzLSZfbmGZGh-UsvfvFOgBwrUyHs6nCwmnjCobBO4Zxq4raSPr2zb40TOAad508ag/s1600/IMG_0310%255B1%255D"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhORVop2Mg_6s3plR51bEGtBfgqfwb-VBG2ewIsG6-gcQ_CtC5MkDFbON4sRJWfcMlDJ-UcWraDzXsOzLSZfbmGZGh-UsvfvFOgBwrUyHs6nCwmnjCobBO4Zxq4raSPr2zb40TOAad508ag/s320/IMG_0310%255B1%255D" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5623960523534692098" /></a><br /><br /><br />I haven't posted a pic of the original carnage; I felt that may be too much for the delicate sensibilities of some knitters. The above viper's nest is THREE DAYS into the recovery. If I paid myself minimum wage for the detangling process, you'd be looking at the equivalent of a tonne of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Qiviut">qiviut</a>.<br /><br />If times weren't so hard, I'd probably have just binned it. Happy isn't expensive, but it was a treat, so I'm determined to save it. And the ensuing socks will be for my feet only. I've earnt them already.Minxyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08604687238935818476noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-434252747929309986.post-3618216577528155402011-02-15T02:38:00.000-08:002011-02-15T02:42:34.960-08:00Pea on a Mountain<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkvpu8Nlra79uFnKndQBuLv0lpfq9pbKee_H0o02lt4BejAtET73CFeenhmfTEmxzF_b0P7MKjPd3ST8zMmICcLAJI0DHQEep5-1dCKuKZpM-cmcs0xKAjLk19KqHK26G7lll-gpmIqvCF/s1600/Wool+pics+049.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkvpu8Nlra79uFnKndQBuLv0lpfq9pbKee_H0o02lt4BejAtET73CFeenhmfTEmxzF_b0P7MKjPd3ST8zMmICcLAJI0DHQEep5-1dCKuKZpM-cmcs0xKAjLk19KqHK26G7lll-gpmIqvCF/s320/Wool+pics+049.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5573864674979958418" /></a><br />How cute is this little hat? Knitted in lovely RYC Cashsoft, I followed the Poppy pattern from Ravelry, and knitted the correct size for Daphne. Or so I thought.<br /><br />Unfortunately, I didn't allow for her chimp-like low sitting ears, and this keeps popping off the top of her head. After five minutes she looks like Brian Harvey. it's too cute not to make it work though, have started again in the biggest size!Minxyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08604687238935818476noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-434252747929309986.post-70460572906662568182011-01-31T01:55:00.000-08:002011-02-15T02:55:03.054-08:00January Mitts!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUHmwuYrKZ5IARHkjPjXOBCLzg9tLtnSjinOG297VP-93HKNGlzaBzjOxH4DZtAPkQFY0dXgdjoMA679fAQ1rJy93-8m9WdZykF0_18eD0dUgMFheUUy7yq28ttoXfMP88q25cqd1vQPJG/s1600/IMG_0055.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUHmwuYrKZ5IARHkjPjXOBCLzg9tLtnSjinOG297VP-93HKNGlzaBzjOxH4DZtAPkQFY0dXgdjoMA679fAQ1rJy93-8m9WdZykF0_18eD0dUgMFheUUy7yq28ttoXfMP88q25cqd1vQPJG/s320/IMG_0055.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5568288421425872642" /></a><br />I'm trying to knit a project a month this year. In my head, they'll be going into a box for Christmas presents although I think there'll be some birthday gifting going on too. So here's the first. A pair of 'Suzie's Reading Mitts' in Sublime Cashmerino Aran. This was a nice pattern, with an interesting way of getting the pretty picot edge (a yarn over row folded at the end). They were fun to knit, although a lack of concentration on my part means one is about half an inch longer than the other. I will explain that to the receiver, it would be a bonus if I can find someone with one wrist longer than the other. I don't think you can really tell though.<br /><br />The yarn is squishy-softie-fabulous. A combo of wool, silk and probably some other bits, I'd love to knit with this more often. But I'm not rich, so I can't. It's a nice yarn for a little gift project like this though. What do you think?Minxyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08604687238935818476noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-434252747929309986.post-73713873644449363112011-01-03T01:39:00.000-08:002011-01-03T11:00:54.640-08:00Cake for breakfast?<a href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5043/5319697788_4d8ce33520.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 375px; height: 500px;" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5043/5319697788_4d8ce33520.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br />Bang goes the New Year's diet!<br /><br />My lovely husband found a Christmas present he'd bought a while ago and forgotten to give to me, so he planned a little surprise. It's a very cute cardboard cake stand: he confessed he thought he'd got a real bargain on a china one until it arrived in the post - bless.<br /><br />So he stayed up late last night to bake some fairy cakes, in what I think was his first attempt, and set it up for me this morning.<br /><br />So the children and I have had fairy cakes for breakfast. Oh well, there's the rest of the day to eat fruit, eh?Minxyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08604687238935818476noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-434252747929309986.post-24811801829179047582011-01-01T12:19:00.000-08:002011-01-03T10:54:17.412-08:00Don't they look pretty?<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKsqWkQhGfvliFsnBF0WYrszZsvnXu9ZLCnRxHVZ2oE62ycr6bf65rKPInncRnXXvDHxiDd8jgYmESSVkydVZ1hU-AVoH9M8bkGvUuUd8Q4LEQrWOYCU3l9bHk4gwD0ak3bi7B1blKMaYN/s1600/IMG_0020%255B1%255D"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKsqWkQhGfvliFsnBF0WYrszZsvnXu9ZLCnRxHVZ2oE62ycr6bf65rKPInncRnXXvDHxiDd8jgYmESSVkydVZ1hU-AVoH9M8bkGvUuUd8Q4LEQrWOYCU3l9bHk4gwD0ak3bi7B1blKMaYN/s320/IMG_0020%255B1%255D" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5557614336524437378" /></a><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6K9AqJFbPZWNdKKo5NWthqhuJbQyWJtXFaCcS8uKQ5r7opA_0spV0wA7VGAo-1c8FuGSWCdhJ0PNBjeEXgoAVeXYU-K12I8XbuenVSsFyKvP0A8c_9BkJk1t490mR8l5Jr1UriR_fS4eh/s1600/IMG_0021%255B1%255D"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6K9AqJFbPZWNdKKo5NWthqhuJbQyWJtXFaCcS8uKQ5r7opA_0spV0wA7VGAo-1c8FuGSWCdhJ0PNBjeEXgoAVeXYU-K12I8XbuenVSsFyKvP0A8c_9BkJk1t490mR8l5Jr1UriR_fS4eh/s320/IMG_0021%255B1%255D" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5557614649902538690" /></a><br /><br /><br />Sat there on the shelf in Daphne's room, my Enid Blyton books look vintage-tastic with their chalky colours and retro illustrations, but they do make me a little uneasy.<br /><br />I read Blyton extensively as a child, from the Famous Five through the school books to the fairytales. Famous Five (and the Secret Seven) held a ploddy, bread-and-butter place in my reading. I'm sure I enjoyed them at the time but they never set my world alight. The school books, Mallory Towers for example, may as well have been labelled fairytales, so far removed were they from the life I led. I enjoyed these more, though as a class-aware adult who cringes at anything 'posher' than a Waitrose carrier bag, their appeal is much more limited these days.<br /><br />It's for these reasons that the shelves hold mainly the fairy stories. The Faraway Tree, The Wishing Chair and the collections of short stories about brownies, fairies and goblins which were always my favourites.<br /><br />But I have a dilemma.<br /><br />It's well known that Blyton's work is less than PC to say the least. I've never accepted that just because something was 'of it's time' it excuses continued exposure to very offensive material. And some of this stuff could be considered very offensive. Racist,and with questionable attitudes about child discipline. But nostalgia draws me to them. Do I read them to my children? No (although in honesty I tried once, but the antiquated language and subject matter rendered them incomprehensible to my audience). I have to accept that whilst they are on the shelf, they may be read by the little people. I guess I will offer some sort of precursory explanation whilst they are small, but what shall I say?<br /><br />I have no point to make here, am genuinely a bit torn. But I do know I would be sorry to lose these from the shelves if it ever came to it.Minxyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08604687238935818476noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-434252747929309986.post-59823766559066614902010-07-20T11:52:00.000-07:002010-07-20T12:16:01.961-07:00Two-whit Too-woo!So, aaaages ago I knitted the legendary <a href="http://ohwhatlarks.wordpress.com/2009/04/01/to-whit/">OWL jumper</a> in Sirdar Peru, a lovely phased yarn I got on the cheap from <a href="http://www.kempswoolshop.com/">Kemps Wool Shop</a>. I learnt the hard way not to knit a jumper during winter in a darkened room, as the colour phase yarn wasn't exactly, well, phased.<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/25637463@N08/4812544621/" title="IMG00108-20100716-1433.jpg by minxyb123, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4078/4812544621_e77c1cb507.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="IMG00108-20100716-1433.jpg" /></a><br />It was a bit too unfortunately stripy for me to wear, shame as it fitted like a dream. I bought some <a href="http://www.fabdye.com/">FabDye</a>, an acid dye good for dying wool. This is when I learned lesson #2: an unwatched dye pot will boil over and dye your dresser purple. Gah.<br />Hot water does funny things to wool. It came out a brown/purple marl which I could live with, but the arms are now fit for Mr Tickle. Still I can always roll them up.<br /><br />34 buttons later (yes, that's THIRTY FOUR) and we're good to go. What do you think?<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/25637463@N08/4812612487/" title="IMG00119-20100720-1917.jpg by minxyb123, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4102/4812612487_5532554327.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="IMG00119-20100720-1917.jpg" /></a><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/25637463@N08/4812612633/" title="IMG00120-20100720-1917.jpg by minxyb123, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4093/4812612633_a977e4bb2f.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="IMG00120-20100720-1917.jpg" /></a>Minxyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08604687238935818476noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-434252747929309986.post-76416483820109770812010-07-15T12:41:00.000-07:002010-07-15T12:42:21.338-07:00Jelly!Blackcurrant. Mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/25637463@N08/4795883085/" title="Mmmmm Jelly by minxyb123, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4119/4795883085_7c33b57e53.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="Mmmmm Jelly" /></a>Minxyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08604687238935818476noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-434252747929309986.post-80179598396080158572010-07-14T05:34:00.000-07:002010-07-14T05:43:13.798-07:00A Retr-Oh moment<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/25637463@N08/4793327536/" title="Retro-Oh Brixham vase by minxyb123, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4134/4793327536_35a4448d81.jpg" width="417" height="500" alt="Retro-Oh Brixham vase" /></a><br />I pop into my very-local charity shop almost daily. Like all these things it's more hit than miss. Today, this cheeky little chap was sat on the shelf just waiting for me. It's Brixham pottery, a history of which is apparently difficult to track down, so I've no idea of age, but it looks Seventies-tastic to me!<br /><br />I love these acid-type greens, they compliment the strange blue-toned purple of my living room walls so well, and that teaky-brown looks almost woodgrain to match my beloved G-plan coffee table.<br /><br />I paid £3. No money in it, as The Duke would say, but this one's going to live with me a while, and bring me lots of viewing pleasure, making it cheap as chips................Minxyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08604687238935818476noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-434252747929309986.post-47863235892035066542010-07-09T14:54:00.000-07:002010-07-09T15:04:35.836-07:00Creative Open Workshops (or COW to me and you)<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPw_XCxneTQWh-17uwIAgC7An5LzzCVAaJnq3ZkRPoU0v_xNYcwZCDd2Ghq_-mohWl6grr9RM_968vf_R8Kgo5C_kArJErhPiol1Qv1TRShWNGoqQ94Px184sArlximVgqVgpisHAoPlUc/s1600/IMG_2075_jpg_scaled1000.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPw_XCxneTQWh-17uwIAgC7An5LzzCVAaJnq3ZkRPoU0v_xNYcwZCDd2Ghq_-mohWl6grr9RM_968vf_R8Kgo5C_kArJErhPiol1Qv1TRShWNGoqQ94Px184sArlximVgqVgpisHAoPlUc/s320/IMG_2075_jpg_scaled1000.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5492030314145842818" /></a><br />Last weekend was my dear friend Clare's hen do, and being a crafty type she wanted to do something different during the day. She discovered the marvellous <a href="http://www.creativeopenworkshops.com/">Creative Open Workshop</a> studio at The Custard Factory, and we went along to make our own tote bags.<br /><br />Now, I'm still a little nervous when it comes to the old sewing thing. I have a machine but we've yet to fall in love. I was hoping that this workshop would help me with my reservations, and as it turns out I could have taken my own machine in order to learn how to work it. Instead, I used their (rather fabulous) ones and knocked up a bag to be proud of in a couple of hours!<br /><br />Our hostess Francine was lovely; very patient, friendly and helpful. There was jasmine tea (in fancy vintage teacups nonetheless) and cakes to help us keep our sewing energy up, and the choice of fabric was dizzying! Everything was very step by step and simple, thankfully, and I would recommend this type of thing for newbie and experienced crafters alike.<br /><br />It cost just £15 including materials. Bargainous.<br /><br />Me and my bag<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGQon_rJVkKxNjL2ehuL_C5iHLI_cXic61anYZEM-iyw1kiZ8OknLNvupwtXOmO50J4KpF7x2s2XlfLuYKfRNCXwk58K_2AFNUEZBfYC-_B72I-ySnZv8tD5fP0WYtTvrlvynw-Uk6eC7a/s1600/IMG_2099_jpg_scaled1000.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGQon_rJVkKxNjL2ehuL_C5iHLI_cXic61anYZEM-iyw1kiZ8OknLNvupwtXOmO50J4KpF7x2s2XlfLuYKfRNCXwk58K_2AFNUEZBfYC-_B72I-ySnZv8tD5fP0WYtTvrlvynw-Uk6eC7a/s320/IMG_2099_jpg_scaled1000.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5492030440951427506" /></a><br />All the hens<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAAFfQMiAfjet3jDK-cId10ImTIZ3YrkTsG-ibGY4qR6DYXmHw5_9cae5j9gCIwlCcatmepKVRl9JIwsB_-KKvWPprl8pAN-lda8Ftn0lzqxO0WOc9FO7i-NkL2tmzyQqGp_5EnaNwlCKx/s1600/34281_10150210447380696_727235695_13290128_331781_n.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAAFfQMiAfjet3jDK-cId10ImTIZ3YrkTsG-ibGY4qR6DYXmHw5_9cae5j9gCIwlCcatmepKVRl9JIwsB_-KKvWPprl8pAN-lda8Ftn0lzqxO0WOc9FO7i-NkL2tmzyQqGp_5EnaNwlCKx/s320/34281_10150210447380696_727235695_13290128_331781_n.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5492030007278497554" /></a>Minxyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08604687238935818476noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-434252747929309986.post-25673385240299881142010-06-29T15:12:00.000-07:002010-06-30T02:34:04.768-07:00The place wot I live inI feel very lucky to live in the historic village of Kings Norton, about 5 miles south of Birmingham city centre.<br /><br />I'm a stone's throw from the village green, home to some of the most beautiful old buildings the city has to offer. St Nicholas church is a 13th century building, although documents prove there has been a church on the same spot since at least the 11th century. <br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKaImjaKVoFJu-Chlo9Kkp7DbWJh8Bq2bzeHz4N0Lk890QeblYgKBY5ENPdQE527p3ZPGwJtqg1OdU_mWAknPrEp03Mf4o8zbz7bRlsaIIUwhRcw9noI8eyiqRU1qgfkmuks8XJRWL_j1_/s1600/F5F954A2-C2D9-EC49-BCAB8A35C6D9B21C.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 230px; height: 301px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKaImjaKVoFJu-Chlo9Kkp7DbWJh8Bq2bzeHz4N0Lk890QeblYgKBY5ENPdQE527p3ZPGwJtqg1OdU_mWAknPrEp03Mf4o8zbz7bRlsaIIUwhRcw9noI8eyiqRU1qgfkmuks8XJRWL_j1_/s320/F5F954A2-C2D9-EC49-BCAB8A35C6D9B21C.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5488323180687662866" /></a><br /><br />Within the church grounds stands the Old Grammar School, which is one of the oldest educational buildings in the country, believed to have been built in the 15th century.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixoX4A7oBa2q7MC4GDAVDf_BPKLOI64oG4THIcE18lESU6kZjHJ6k0K01Bgu5zOgJ5ia2eJW4-gQKVebapFVjokpla_FDkjnFJ_6X1ZHZzfOzkvGbZCuZ8P5cpdH9hOPWBMX8as08MbjpZ/s1600/800px-Kings_Norton_the_Old_Grammar_School.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 238px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixoX4A7oBa2q7MC4GDAVDf_BPKLOI64oG4THIcE18lESU6kZjHJ6k0K01Bgu5zOgJ5ia2eJW4-gQKVebapFVjokpla_FDkjnFJ_6X1ZHZzfOzkvGbZCuZ8P5cpdH9hOPWBMX8as08MbjpZ/s320/800px-Kings_Norton_the_Old_Grammar_School.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5488324736534022690" /></a><br /><br />Together with The Saracen's Head, a medieval building turned coaching inn, The Grammar school won £3m from the BBC Restoration project back in 2004. The money was used to fully refurbish the school and create <a href="http://www.saintnicolasplace.co.uk/">St Nicholas place</a> on the site of the old pub. This tourist and community centre is a great place to visit for a coffee when in the area.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjds8guyuL2IoM4ij_Qo3tP3_HoGTyyT_IujsIviPdVDwVZ5u0e9sp2adQttKaedfNHi4p-_yyr9R5iptWTYEbgWiDon1GLQsc7yHcFgFmtaceRIUnGVrrZtTUG73RXiUB2t8UL9A6C3clj/s1600/Kings_Norton_St_Nicolas_and_Saracens_Head.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 257px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjds8guyuL2IoM4ij_Qo3tP3_HoGTyyT_IujsIviPdVDwVZ5u0e9sp2adQttKaedfNHi4p-_yyr9R5iptWTYEbgWiDon1GLQsc7yHcFgFmtaceRIUnGVrrZtTUG73RXiUB2t8UL9A6C3clj/s320/Kings_Norton_St_Nicolas_and_Saracens_Head.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5488326529726619842" /></a><br /><br />All this history aside, I'm down at 'The Green' most days, it has everything I need. A Spar, post office, bank, charity shop and a fantastic greasy cafe. My top two favourite shops though, at <a href="http://www.naturalhealth-centre.com/?gclid=CIzQ24utxqICFQRslAodZn5y5A">The Natural Health Centre</a>, fantastic for massage, and the <a href="http://thefabulousfabricshop.com/">Fabulous Fabric</a> shop.<br /><br />I've met people in the past who have been..........well a bit sniffy about Birmingham. Well, I'm born and bred and I love it, particularly this little corner away from the urban sprawl.Minxyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08604687238935818476noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-434252747929309986.post-23232701890881834572010-06-25T03:33:00.000-07:002010-06-25T03:42:50.526-07:00To Upcycle or Recycle?<a href="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1256/4732230449_433629e81f.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 375px; height: 500px;" src="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1256/4732230449_433629e81f.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br /><br />I bought this mirror in a local charity shop for £5. Apart from being a bit grubby (maybe I should have cleaned it before snapping it) it's in perfect condition.<br /><br />I love these mirrors painted in vibrant hues, I love blanket colour showing off relief work, and was going to paint this teal to hang in my hallway. However, something about that faux goldiness is drawing me in. It's SO not my thing, but would it be a shame to paint it up?<br /><br />Answers on a postcard.....Minxyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08604687238935818476noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-434252747929309986.post-78669086129642372762010-06-23T02:23:00.000-07:002010-06-23T02:34:53.667-07:00I love Belle and BooMy love affair started when Gareth, in a rare flash of excellent taste, bought me the most beautiful Valentine's card I have ever seen. It featured this illustration called 'The Journey' with the tagline You Rock My World.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlUEbN7wICpLsUjP_dz8IfPHqScCUR3aIEb_n4wZIGfWIe47KXqcAr74SqBObHUnAoBQDh1mBoG_46cf8GAYeeAO68iBxWhrOIwl-dKIrl611ZEUCZAN3T3YwNT4tH0eJtfIU4xbhEfOBF/s1600/main-journeypostcard-popup.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 250px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlUEbN7wICpLsUjP_dz8IfPHqScCUR3aIEb_n4wZIGfWIe47KXqcAr74SqBObHUnAoBQDh1mBoG_46cf8GAYeeAO68iBxWhrOIwl-dKIrl611ZEUCZAN3T3YwNT4tH0eJtfIU4xbhEfOBF/s320/main-journeypostcard-popup.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5485898259841891730" /></a><br /><br />I love the childish themes, the retro styling and the muted chalky colours. I've since found the cards stocked all over the place, from Paperchase to a little shop in Cologne, and snap them up whenever I can. These are a couple of my favourite designs.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw6kA6efCUoKaSlVmB3OJ4voCZD8WSx2-CclLUwWZ5P4HuAdnFV0XWIALlstkQZUmOVdoiB8equ8MdXziy5Udi141otGMS-y_kcCxj9n3xbv4MBfJA6f6lCRFOQMYYlH1WSAsoq6-NbneF/s1600/mainbow_cardmiddle.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 208px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw6kA6efCUoKaSlVmB3OJ4voCZD8WSx2-CclLUwWZ5P4HuAdnFV0XWIALlstkQZUmOVdoiB8equ8MdXziy5Udi141otGMS-y_kcCxj9n3xbv4MBfJA6f6lCRFOQMYYlH1WSAsoq6-NbneF/s320/mainbow_cardmiddle.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5485899519499074946" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6dElDJyGWpySDiuCqA73szqfNKOeu_B8UwQcmbIgyafTs6qxyCg0SQyOy8gkViBbdGpMfE8tqTUyPZY52ZtXrK-hzYL2vnHsl1AmjtIARo_oqAyVIhXtsPHeFJk0wrgZYkYCjRuqU0YZ_/s1600/BelleHugsBooPinkWallSticker.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 190px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6dElDJyGWpySDiuCqA73szqfNKOeu_B8UwQcmbIgyafTs6qxyCg0SQyOy8gkViBbdGpMfE8tqTUyPZY52ZtXrK-hzYL2vnHsl1AmjtIARo_oqAyVIhXtsPHeFJk0wrgZYkYCjRuqU0YZ_/s320/BelleHugsBooPinkWallSticker.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5485899423663049762" /></a><br /><br />Aren't they cute? As well as there own website, they have an <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/belleandboo">Etsy </a>shop too. I've recently discovered they also sell homewares and even little girls' clothes. God help me.Minxyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08604687238935818476noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-434252747929309986.post-72945269085427932122010-06-21T13:09:00.000-07:002010-06-21T13:36:42.462-07:00Knitters, keepers....I've been trying to get ahead on my Christmas gift knitting and managed to snap up a load of Regia sock yarn from <a href="http://www.kempswoolshop.com/">Kemps Wool Shop</a> for the bargainous price of £1.30 a ball. Included was this stripy goodness.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaZ-a5d9EQxVv4f2yC2JKLRNJBjbITvyiN8GwUzBr0LfLZi3WvdCbyCrI-F7pptbt1stwUTXIflyUFv1pc4rqrG-_pl6DD8MnoKax0ySvqUYeWHsYW75VI8fmfelPYQIUVG5ZB5gK4Spp3/s1600/IMG00079-20100621-2051.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaZ-a5d9EQxVv4f2yC2JKLRNJBjbITvyiN8GwUzBr0LfLZi3WvdCbyCrI-F7pptbt1stwUTXIflyUFv1pc4rqrG-_pl6DD8MnoKax0ySvqUYeWHsYW75VI8fmfelPYQIUVG5ZB5gK4Spp3/s320/IMG00079-20100621-2051.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5485326422245539650" /></a><br /><br />I looooove them. The olive green, the mulberry pink! Even electric blue, not one of my faves at all, looks fab against those earthy browns. The colours are a bit more vibrant in RL, this pic was taken at 9pm. Deliberate lighting ploy you understand, nothing AT ALL to do with me being a Slack Alice and forgetting until now ;)<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYzHlkOuBHC1YpogZKL5J64yynOqq_rdk_1H_T4lqG2OXEnizLP56PgAcVQXPPNLCR_P4N0HBzWLRSAKNYu23cnXO2-07j0KMyRIf01FBOxiARBLYhpPm8EJ8LIR1JjGG9tQ9I6H98rX6N/s1600/IMG00078-20100621-2050.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYzHlkOuBHC1YpogZKL5J64yynOqq_rdk_1H_T4lqG2OXEnizLP56PgAcVQXPPNLCR_P4N0HBzWLRSAKNYu23cnXO2-07j0KMyRIf01FBOxiARBLYhpPm8EJ8LIR1JjGG9tQ9I6H98rX6N/s320/IMG00078-20100621-2050.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5485327517611512642" /></a><br /><br />Anyway, sod the presents, these are so lovely I think they'll be falling off the needles straight onto my tootsies thankyouverymuch.Minxyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08604687238935818476noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-434252747929309986.post-60669010160692171722010-06-15T14:33:00.000-07:002010-06-15T14:51:25.409-07:00Stick a fork in it...................It's done!!!<br /><br />After 2 years, 2745 squares and 4709625476804326739 yards of wool*, THE blankie is finished. This is definitely the most wow factor thing I've ever knitted. <br /><br />Best of all, it's the yarn that does the talking. Sock yarn in beautifully variegated shades spanning the spectrum. The knitted itself was a breeze, I could watch telly and not look at the needles or ANYTHING!<br /><br />I did consider a simple black crochet border round the edge to make it look more 'done', but that seems so finite somehow. At the moment, it's about queen bed sized; I *might* decide to add to that at some point. The back is really scruffy too but my plan is not to line it, just keep it facing out! <br /><br />Next step is to wash it: on a very gentle cycle with a LOT of colour catcher sheets! Then it's onto the back of the sofabed I have to keep in my lounge. It's hideous and I'm hoping this will improve it.<br /><br />But for now, in all it's glory (and yes, good photography could make it look a lot better but we all know that's not my forte)<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU32fZYLgE6YhSozPiS0Exa13P-IdN9ERtFSVJVv-esC_XzMPwgGQWmSCWYrw9R4Fw3HrE4PlfpvNIRdBlKF0zM4I1iw82csOFy7dkPpHIuEqKC5crUjL_m5p1gX9rMuKzrjMOW9b_u4K9/s1600/IMG00055-20100615-1539+00000.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU32fZYLgE6YhSozPiS0Exa13P-IdN9ERtFSVJVv-esC_XzMPwgGQWmSCWYrw9R4Fw3HrE4PlfpvNIRdBlKF0zM4I1iw82csOFy7dkPpHIuEqKC5crUjL_m5p1gX9rMuKzrjMOW9b_u4K9/s320/IMG00055-20100615-1539+00000.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5483119885621606850" /></a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo0IOfiRYrcwvF_XgY1AgsS2fe4rNBC6AbmrQIyDrGM4OjI87QThR74wMdDg-AcYYSUWzvmsctxC60g-zmQ5aX06jEqBvJNt0l-mn8csASCLImoAALJ966O4BVXujxQlQ4dbki-hjISstt/s1600/IMG00056-20100615-1539+00000.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo0IOfiRYrcwvF_XgY1AgsS2fe4rNBC6AbmrQIyDrGM4OjI87QThR74wMdDg-AcYYSUWzvmsctxC60g-zmQ5aX06jEqBvJNt0l-mn8csASCLImoAALJ966O4BVXujxQlQ4dbki-hjISstt/s320/IMG00056-20100615-1539+00000.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5483120475520317074" /></a><br /><br />And my favourite square; something about this orange one draws my eye every time.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4itEWA84vHys5OdDM2OxmsqwM652wotEH-4me7wbfNPU94r7Wr3sR-Muvb0PyYAsOC8nElxofXFsY0EFFqHGaGb3cguuLERIZ2NKnL9derItFGqdx1NYAA2vuMr1u_3sktfghvFBdA6Xc/s1600/IMG00059-20100615-1540+00000.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4itEWA84vHys5OdDM2OxmsqwM652wotEH-4me7wbfNPU94r7Wr3sR-Muvb0PyYAsOC8nElxofXFsY0EFFqHGaGb3cguuLERIZ2NKnL9derItFGqdx1NYAA2vuMr1u_3sktfghvFBdA6Xc/s320/IMG00059-20100615-1540+00000.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5483120929420840210" /></a><br /><br />* Numbers may be exaggerated for dramatic purposes.Minxyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08604687238935818476noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-434252747929309986.post-78447009980561887462010-04-09T10:27:00.000-07:002010-04-09T10:34:59.574-07:00ProcrastinatingYou know when you put something off, and the longer you put it off, the more difficult it seems to get 'it' done? Well, that's kind of like this blog.<br /><br />I haven't been forthcoming with the old finished objects, and for that reason I feel a bit naughty posting about anything else. This blog is heavy on the promises and starts, a bit light on the finished items of fabulousness.<br /><br />Still, as that DOES accurately represent Minxy Real Life, I should just get on with posting. I mean, there are no blog police. Right? And I really need a place to record the list of crafty things I intend to do over Summer (the many things already outstanding aside............) Here goes<br /><br />1) Finish Secret Crafting items #1 and #2. Can't say too much cause of prying eyes except #1 it turning out to be a mammoth knit and #2 could be on the hideous side of kooky, not sure yet!<br /><br />2) Birds on a branch. Except might have to wait until the Autumn for the branch. Given my current rate of finishing, not a problem.<br /><br />3) Cover my lampshades with funky fabric.<br /><br />4) A <a href="http://kathrynivy.com/patterns/free/summerlin/">Summerlin</a> dress for The Daffinator.<br /><br />5) My hallway. This really is out of my hands at the mo as it depends on Big G finishing his decorating. We are very alike so don't hold your breath!<br /><br />That'll do for now. Back soon (sooner I promise) with some pics!Minxyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08604687238935818476noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-434252747929309986.post-36555574635196421412010-03-10T09:26:00.000-08:002010-03-10T09:36:53.894-08:00Found a lovely bargain today in a 10p book box at my local charity shop. Have checked the <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Pictorial-Guide-Modern-Home-Needlecraft/dp/B000KC4RKC/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1268242048&sr=8-1">Amazon</a> and it turns out not to be rare or valuable, but a real treat none the less!<br /><br />It's a pre-war edition of The Pictorial Guide to Modern Home Needlecraft, and it's a wonderfully comprehensive guide to sewing and knitting. There's info on how to design patterns, make do and mend tips on just about everything from gloves to bed linen and a few fabulous articles such as 'A Chat on Grooming'. There's a couple of chapters I can't imagine getting much use out of (when am I going to work with fur? Never, I hope), but it's still a pretty good looking reference volume.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7c3z10IDB1Xll516xZsbiGdALV8E_qla5ut70Ln-kRnhUGJeX7MGjW3w9R21pkBVuJNdYBXcgOz8KoQkxmp78hxiUCrzkwzS3TIF6VtU8KnnZIL9E-flyLTXKjymWSOZvfRrfbLBCBl4W/s1600-h/HPIM0302.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7c3z10IDB1Xll516xZsbiGdALV8E_qla5ut70Ln-kRnhUGJeX7MGjW3w9R21pkBVuJNdYBXcgOz8KoQkxmp78hxiUCrzkwzS3TIF6VtU8KnnZIL9E-flyLTXKjymWSOZvfRrfbLBCBl4W/s320/HPIM0302.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5447060001356262386" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUjhQCq2fic1ni-KzQGbgzia5i9xoXlJPOy39XduOUBNQ75CeP4QN-m9411zuDySF5t-3C6NRUA8sfkR_GSKaQn5tttEHTY6Oot_P9TbpTIGh-LsFQAC2bq6FlnDr-SYPOSZLxENYcae57/s1600-h/HPIM0303.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUjhQCq2fic1ni-KzQGbgzia5i9xoXlJPOy39XduOUBNQ75CeP4QN-m9411zuDySF5t-3C6NRUA8sfkR_GSKaQn5tttEHTY6Oot_P9TbpTIGh-LsFQAC2bq6FlnDr-SYPOSZLxENYcae57/s320/HPIM0303.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5447059763358432626" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju0622fWqJiarHDBlo9nImb7vDpHxYmPBQ6zd8xABi5NONeGN1a5D2Ght6FemZ_jRQBm22eibv44JfmE2OA5Gxa1jGydaK8QdzFpfnfxDKIYFZTVtIq9j-he8bQPmUt86d91b-8FQi6TUJ/s1600-h/HPIM0304.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju0622fWqJiarHDBlo9nImb7vDpHxYmPBQ6zd8xABi5NONeGN1a5D2Ght6FemZ_jRQBm22eibv44JfmE2OA5Gxa1jGydaK8QdzFpfnfxDKIYFZTVtIq9j-he8bQPmUt86d91b-8FQi6TUJ/s320/HPIM0304.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5447059511570214274" /></a>Minxyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08604687238935818476noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-434252747929309986.post-2627263513030869162010-02-16T04:03:00.000-08:002010-02-16T04:24:07.241-08:00Finish-itisJust a quick entry as a note to self. It's show and shame time again! I love to start knitting projects, oh HOW I love to start. Choosing the pattern, finding the perfect yarn and imagining in my head how it will turn out. I'll knit it up, think about the sewing, buttoning and seaming that needs doing and...............start something else.<br /><div></div><br /><div>So I'm on yet another ban. I will not start anything new until I get rid of some of my half done backlog. And I'm going to put (fairly boring, admittedly) pictures and details here. Still, the finished article pictures might be more interesting to look at.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>First up, CHRISTMAS items that are still not done.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>A jumper for Gareth. I need to knit this together but am having a bit of trouble understanding the instructions.</div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdI11dZ1rP-ep0VOUVScgXK14zxylj3mOlig5dTiKup_opc4ySdSmRHvws1lnx0fw2RyQ7j5qYWrPzghvApBjSymC5w11l5-JuAlzzJAtSsHDNua6EgHjhUNUGasB8zWdyt3URbTwQIpjd/s1600-h/HPIM0255.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdI11dZ1rP-ep0VOUVScgXK14zxylj3mOlig5dTiKup_opc4ySdSmRHvws1lnx0fw2RyQ7j5qYWrPzghvApBjSymC5w11l5-JuAlzzJAtSsHDNua6EgHjhUNUGasB8zWdyt3URbTwQIpjd/s320/HPIM0255.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5438814837991245314" /></a><br /><div>A matching sock. I can knit basic socks in my sleep, but when you're talking a size 11 it can get pretty boring......</div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieqCPq5q253GkL81OYWwgVpwjmE-vFsZJUFxeB7pYDM0Mj3Plg188Fl4dXq1TzFNdbZN5wQWUZabZ5e1Y7v9nbGlN0kKct8mXuD_PlP1G54m9Fih-SAHZvbpIWiLjMbrzK534gKxZeGB2b/s1600-h/HPIM0257.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieqCPq5q253GkL81OYWwgVpwjmE-vFsZJUFxeB7pYDM0Mj3Plg188Fl4dXq1TzFNdbZN5wQWUZabZ5e1Y7v9nbGlN0kKct8mXuD_PlP1G54m9Fih-SAHZvbpIWiLjMbrzK534gKxZeGB2b/s320/HPIM0257.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5438813804613180482" /></a><br /><div>A little top for me. From <a href="http://www.knitty.com/ISSUEsummer07/PATTaskew.html">this </a>pattern, am concerned it looks teeny (I still knit pre-preggo sizes) but apparently there's a fair amount of stretching needs doing in the blocking process.</div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTtS98QKgREjvj8RYBVaoaf6IZXrBJAAiAkNd5r1BSkvJSyyFmPUxhL_qaKMDIc6XqEJ3BEWWdMenxwFxXV3-jMCED2f2aX0C50VnCc1c-OOIoEFvY8W33qqXgj5gkvJ1XvmrZIO3jE_5i/s1600-h/HPIM0258.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5438813451450974146" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTtS98QKgREjvj8RYBVaoaf6IZXrBJAAiAkNd5r1BSkvJSyyFmPUxhL_qaKMDIc6XqEJ3BEWWdMenxwFxXV3-jMCED2f2aX0C50VnCc1c-OOIoEFvY8W33qqXgj5gkvJ1XvmrZIO3jE_5i/s320/HPIM0258.JPG" /></a><br /><div>An <a href="http://needled.files.wordpress.com/2009/01/owls2.jpg">owl</a> jumper for me, if I don't get a move on it'll be too warm to wear it!</div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgscikbvPKrR8WNr4jWKpchoUJgJT66_tsrkErNSCiNmQXbQqN5eoJG7ZI-uAZc2IQr89bbJwboYzE9JaJsnrEWiYewYp1hZLgeY6_MTLqLWsGidtNNvc2ECFi9Fp-etpGdGoDCotzFWvpP/s1600-h/HPIM0256.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgscikbvPKrR8WNr4jWKpchoUJgJT66_tsrkErNSCiNmQXbQqN5eoJG7ZI-uAZc2IQr89bbJwboYzE9JaJsnrEWiYewYp1hZLgeY6_MTLqLWsGidtNNvc2ECFi9Fp-etpGdGoDCotzFWvpP/s320/HPIM0256.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5438814349398340482" /></a><br /><div>And finally, although this is top of list for finishing due to time, is a little cowl I need to knit for a Mother's Day swap on <a href="http://pregnancyforum.org.uk/">PF</a> . This got tossed aside due to a mistake on it's frustrating lace pattern, with a view to having a look once I'd calmed down. Really need to finish it!</div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjPGcU1vYSQVMYIoc1HiN2Mo2SluVNKk8U5fnPZRxI0K3hlRAMU_5589H-Bqdgnldab_XH1w3KYS6vNbclEZnJVumwSjYGXX32oA0z5vLGkKfYOYMmH01WQ-Bsd2OQ4FmU3B48q29HTSo2/s1600-h/HPIM0253.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjPGcU1vYSQVMYIoc1HiN2Mo2SluVNKk8U5fnPZRxI0K3hlRAMU_5589H-Bqdgnldab_XH1w3KYS6vNbclEZnJVumwSjYGXX32oA0z5vLGkKfYOYMmH01WQ-Bsd2OQ4FmU3B48q29HTSo2/s320/HPIM0253.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5438815650475561714" /></a><br /><br /><div>There may be more, but that's all I'm admitting to for now.............</div>Minxyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08604687238935818476noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-434252747929309986.post-84128841265597805422010-02-07T08:09:00.001-08:002010-02-07T09:00:47.586-08:00Thinking of Spring<div>It's been a beautiful day today. Cold, but the sun is shining and a walk in the woods cleared out the cobwebs for the <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">Mabbs</span> family. A tramp on muddy ground rather than the hard frost of late has me thinking forward to Spring, and the opportunities to be creative.<br /><br /><div>Feeling the lure of the outdoors has me plotting (no pun intended) for the garden. I'm such an indoor creature that there's a lot of potential going to waste at the back of my house. We've <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">had</span> such lofty plans for fruit and vegetable growing for the last 6 years since we moved here, but it's the loftiness of those plans which hold us back.</div><br /><div>Instead, I am to start with a beginners herb garden this year, relying on pots so no landscaping needs undertaking. The area was pebbled with this in mind a couple of years ago, but now looks sad and neglected, as you can see!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPyFB4OHCzUYw2LyvD0MCdVCyNvFruyhaYXsRn0ompr9dg6qGdEuGvwdbOKpMey0zkY2mGlrK3Kp7dFejhha9nHMVzOevVuntEso7Uq4l1N7ZfLkkuLYFN9FbxpsOoDqPX__CVxNVKzvK1/s1600-h/HPIM0239.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5435542657012018610" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPyFB4OHCzUYw2LyvD0MCdVCyNvFruyhaYXsRn0ompr9dg6qGdEuGvwdbOKpMey0zkY2mGlrK3Kp7dFejhha9nHMVzOevVuntEso7Uq4l1N7ZfLkkuLYFN9FbxpsOoDqPX__CVxNVKzvK1/s320/HPIM0239.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><div>Stanley tried to help with his little red wheelbarrow, but I think this little project needs a lot more work. Check out that lovely Belfast sink though, which the previous owners left. What herbs should I grow? Suggestions welcome.</div><br /><br /><br /><div>Back indoors and the needles have been calling. Any readers who know me from another site may be sick of this picture, I've been spamming it everywhere, it's so adorable! Here's Daphne in the first of her Spring/Summer 2010 dresses!</div><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivKrY7rteHlOBemnaFn2w_VAyWyJURzpVZiankKiNfyVCd7i_IIVj5wV2iq7_IIt_Uw0pffk2Z1_kjJBVm34c2zHdnzo2iwi4BFJT2UN6c1K1DOtTUhPcnsi7_CYYO60ZaRlNF2rgqwhCv/s1600-h/Daphne+002.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5435541834422068706" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivKrY7rteHlOBemnaFn2w_VAyWyJURzpVZiankKiNfyVCd7i_IIVj5wV2iq7_IIt_Uw0pffk2Z1_kjJBVm34c2zHdnzo2iwi4BFJT2UN6c1K1DOtTUhPcnsi7_CYYO60ZaRlNF2rgqwhCv/s320/Daphne+002.JPG" /></a><br />I've had the fortune (or misfortune, time and my purse will see) to discover a fabulous new fabric shop locally, the bricks-and-mortar version of <a href="http://www.thefabulousfabricshop.com/index.htm">this</a>. I popped in today and bought some lovely <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-error">Kaffe</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-error">Fassett</span> fabric which I'm hoping to team up with a knitted bodice as a way to ease myself into sewing!<br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipi7ryZm0PDXGKrcBbfOi5V1gqMlI59sW1fVcWsdZUJefX4XUdB6LVwZY2qyR-5jDMgEqIENtp1gnqobWgsZn7pg5QyMhpfBKmTMH0JyTWFeY2uZKBI05svp8GGIgBY7bQbWD-uYfRUtWp/s1600-h/HPIM0242.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5435545874762690770" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipi7ryZm0PDXGKrcBbfOi5V1gqMlI59sW1fVcWsdZUJefX4XUdB6LVwZY2qyR-5jDMgEqIENtp1gnqobWgsZn7pg5QyMhpfBKmTMH0JyTWFeY2uZKBI05svp8GGIgBY7bQbWD-uYfRUtWp/s320/HPIM0242.JPG" /></a><br /><div><br /></div><p>Finally, an update on the last post, Daphne's room is done! And we know she likes it, Night #3 last night as she slept 7pm until 8am!</p><div><br /><br /></div><a href="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4021/4325614086_2e6a4b2efb.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 375px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 500px; CURSOR: hand" border="0" alt="" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4021/4325614086_2e6a4b2efb.jpg" /></a><br />Now for the resolution bit:</div><div><em>What did I do today that helped organise my life?</em> I got stuck into Stanley's playhouse and sorted out all the little bits in there (play kitchen/work bench etc) ready for the warmer weather.</div><div><em>What did I do today to make my house feel a home?</em> The roast lamb in the oven should tick that box.</div><div><em>What did I do today that made me feel good?</em> That little trip to the fabric shop was a nice start to the day.<br /></div><div></div></div>Minxyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08604687238935818476noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-434252747929309986.post-59863802540574741492010-01-05T02:50:00.001-08:002010-01-05T02:54:41.048-08:00Clear out the old........Oooh, I just love the day all the decorations go back in the loft! Almost as much as the day they come out early December. I'm left with a room ripe for decluttering, a cathartic and (dare I say it?) fun experience, for all it's initial frustration.<br /><br />Luckily I had a pre-Christmas toy blitz so the children's Christmas treats have fitted in nicely. I just need a real clean of upstairs to clear the way for decorating. Daphne's 'room' (teeny tiny box) is first. So far that hasn't cost me a penny.<br /><br />We found the furniture and paint on Freegle, and the cotbed was Stanley's. Daphne had some lovely cushions, lights and bunting from Laura Ashley as Christmas gifts from family, it's going to look fab!<br /><br />I just need to clearout my old nursery stuff, John Lennon's Real Love collection, which I'm hopefully shifting as one job lot. I just need to find my camera to send pics to the interested party.<br /><br />Now which pile is the camera hiding under............................Minxyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08604687238935818476noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-434252747929309986.post-77877384591113528222009-12-30T13:18:00.001-08:002009-12-30T13:39:27.709-08:00New Year, New Blog!!!Have decided to join Blogosphere after much humming and hawwing. I don't imagine I've got much of interest to say but, like most of us in the 21st century, I get an achey wrist after writing more than a sentence, so this can be my alternative diary!<br /><br />I expect it to contain some knitty bragging and much more kiddie bragging. And some random pontification. But today's entry focuses on the coming year and what I hope to get out of it.<br /><br />I decided to make New Years resolutions only about fun things that I want to do anyway. Easier to keep then , you understand. So I've got;<br /><br />1) <strong>Get on a TV quiz show.</strong> And I do fancy a *quiz* element. No 'Deal or No Deal' bollocks for me; I never expect a round of applause for randomly picking numbers or opening a box. I know a couple of people who've done 'Weakest Link', something like that.<br />2) <strong>Knit a Christmas present every month</strong>, so that I have a box of loveliness to pick from next December. And post about the progress here of course.<br />3) <strong>Spend more time in the garden.</strong> I'm hoping this will stop me noticing everything that's wrong in my house. I've become such an indoor creature. We have 100ft plus of green waiting to be explored, and I fancy finding some greenfingers this year.<br /><br />Of course there are a few other things I'd like to happen this year. I'd like to run a half marathon, set up as a Phoenix Trader, finish my CTTLS qualification, but I'm keeping them off The List so they become more of a gentle goal and less of an obligation.<br /><br />The other thing I plan to do, and I hope blogging will help me with, is to take note of small actions every day that make a difference. Specifically things that fulfill the following critera.<br /><em>What did I do today that helped organise my life?</em><br /><em>What did I do today to make my house feel a home?</em><br /><em>What did I do today that made me feel good?</em><br /><em></em><br />So today.<br /><br /><em>What did I do today that helped organise my life?</em><br />Took down the Christmas tree and packed away the baubles NEATLY.<br /><br /><em>What did I do today to make my house feel a home?</em><br /><em>Left up the fairy lights that match the living room decor for year round sparkle.</em><br /><em></em><br /><em>What did I do today that made me feel good?</em><br /><em>Visited my beautiful nephew on his 4th birthday.</em><br /><em></em><br /><em></em><br /><em>Until next time x</em><br /><span style="font-size:+0;"></span><br /><em></em><br /><br /><em></em>Minxyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08604687238935818476noreply@blogger.com0