Wednesday, May 27, 2009

Update on the Great Half term Must Finish List

Well what an eventful few days that's been! We tried to unblock the drains ourselves using rods and pipes and things. That didn't work, so desperate to try and avoid the Bank Holiday call out fees for Dyno Rod, we called a friend to see if he knew anyone local who did that sort of thing. 'Yes, me' came back the reply. It turned out that unbeknown to us, this friend has a side line in maintenance, he is normally a farmer. So along he came, worked his magic, and we're now all clear! (It was next door blocking the pipes - not our fault after all). Anyway, I shall just leave you all to imagine the mood of Mr Stressy - sunny bank holiday, garden all done and just about to relax in the garden when youngest son noticed lots of water in the toilet...)

Oh yes, and as if that wasn't enough, I looked out of my kitchen window the other day to see what was enjoying the bird seed on the bird table. A humongous, blinking enormous RAT!!!!! I freaked out. I can cope with mice, but rats? Ugh.

They say bad things come in 3's don't they. Oh heck, what's next?

Anyway, enough of my troubles, let's get on with today's exciting news. I have been busy trying to plough my way through the half term must finish list.

Presenting 3 felted jumper blankets. 3 more just have the border to do. These will be parcelled off very soon to my sister in law's care home.

15 Wiggly Bags for Gina. It seems that some of you don't know about the Wiggly Bags. Well, they are used to house the tubes that children with cancer have to have permanently attached to themselves. They are very easy to make - more info can be found here, but I'm sure if you asked Gina she would send you details on how to make them.

Quite the most exciting news is that the Posh Poppy Socks are now finished. They are, if I can be so modest, fantastic! I am so in love with this pattern - I would always far rather make things in loads of colours and stocking stitch rather than one colour and fancy stitches (lace knitting? No way!) I love the way stocking stitch looks, so neat and even, making a soft fabric with no holes or bumps. This is a very bad photo - forgive me, the light is terrible today. But believe me, they are very lovely socks! (My modesty astounds me at times!)

And last but by no means least, the Golden Wedding Blanket is started! I am going to do this in cream, golds and greens. Yes, I know it doesn't look very green in the picture, but it is quite gold don't you think? 2 squares done, only another 97 to go! If anyone out there has any scraps (or indeed whole skeins!) of Posh Yarn Helena 4-ply in suitable colours, I would love to hear from you...

I know that Kitty is very keen on making a blanket, does anyone else have the urge to make one? Blankets can be as easy or difficult as you like, they are very portable, take up little space, and great for stash busting. I am already a bit of a blanket freak as you know and would love to spread the word and get more people joining in a knit-a-thon. Anyone want to join me and Kitty? (This time I'm not asking you to knit a square and send it to me, I'm saying keep your squares, sew them together and be cosy and warm in the winter.)

Oh, and Saturday Pudding has been named. Boudoir Tarte, as named by Anonymous Sally. When I write a recipe book, or indeed any book, I promise to use it in there Sally and give you the credit! Not that I'm planning on writing a book, but you never know!

13 comments:

Gina said...

THANK YOU... what a lot of fabulous looking Wiggly Bags. Love those socks - just gorgeous!

trash said...

Obvioulsy blanketage is in the air I have been knitting one this week for a friend's baby boy (it is ok, I have time. He doesn't get here until September.) Last time I did a blanket I spent as long sewing the edges together as knitting the squares so this time I am just knitting blocks in strips a la debbie Abrahams. Seems to be achieving something....

marit said...

LOVE the socks! I have to admit- I prefer to knit lacesocks...

Great blankets too. I have started one, using wool, and dishclothpatterns. I have about 20 squares so far? But I haven't knit a new one in at least a year...so it's just sitting there in my sewingroom waiting for me to be inspired again...might take some time!

Locket Pocket said...

Brilliant work Michaela! And great news about the drains - particularly gratifying that it wasn't your household's fault either! Lucy x

Kathryn said...

I'll join you and Kitty in blanket making. You can never have too many blankets, well, you have to have a LOT of blankets before you have too many. I suspect that Warren already thinks we have too many, but Evie and I would disagree!

Rhiannon said...

Even if bad things do come in threes, you have totally eradicated it with good things - 3 blankets and five sets of three wiggly bags- definately lucky :D

As for blanketage, I am on the last but one rectangle of my first ever blanket - now I just have to hope it seals up nicely!

xxx

Rhiannon said...

ps. my word v was elationa which is how i would feel if I had achieved as much as you have!

Ali said...

I hate to tell you this, but rats simply love to snack on poo as well as birdfood. So perhaps your two troubles were connected...

Please do not ask me how I come to know such a thing.

Sarah Knits said...

Wow fab blankets and socks, just love how the poppies get smaller at the toes! Thank you for explaining wiggly bags I was wondering.

Would love to join a blanket knit a long - I want to do a left over sock wool blanket thought it could be fun.

wonderwoman said...

what fantastic socks - you have every right to be chuffed with them! my word you have been busy, the blankets look great and so do all those wiggly bags!!
i would love to join your blanket knitting club!! i may succeed in that far better than on the sock front!!!

xx

sharon said...

Is a blanket already started a qualifier?
I am working on Lizard Ridge - 9 of 24 squares I believe.
and like Marit I haven'tk nit on it in a while...
I love the poppy socks and the felted blankets.
As an aside to the drain issue, my work verifier is aburapot...

sharon said...

also considering Babette....
and sorry for the inability to spell

Kylie said...

Oh - LOVE these socks well done. And looking forward to seeing the wedding blanket grow!