Tipsy Tuesday

Ladies and gentlemen - we have a front! I am so very excited. At this rate I'll have it done by next year - a first for me! Or shall I really stick my neck out and say I'll wear it on Christmas Day? Again it's blurred, but I say again, my photographic skills are rubbish.

I wish you could all feel how soft this is. It's knitted up more like a fabric than a piece of knitting, if you know what I mean.

Did I mention the bag-packing? If any of you are ever unlucky enough to be asked to do this in the name of fund-raising, run a mile. At least. And if ever any of you go into a supermarket where some poor souls are doing this particular 'job' be nice - offer them a sweet or piece of chocolate. Two and a half hours standing in the same place with not so much as thank-you from many. Admittedly, it raised lots of money, but blimey it was horrible!

Nothing much to say...

I think the Stash Basket is getting a bit full - need to knit faster. Either that or find a bigger Basket! Vera, however is quite happy, more yarn makes for a softer cushion! She is less than happy with the chameleons though - has managed to shove one to the side and is busy thumping the other in the head.

Well it's now half term, and boy do we need the rest. Must catch up on some yarn projects. Note that I said 'some'. I'm lying. Tipsy is taking all my spare time. Not even thinking about all the other projects, which for me is most unusual, the fickle being that I am. Isn't anybody else out there going to knit this cardigan? It is really the most fun thing I've ever made (with maybe the Nautilus poncho from Nature Knits coming a close second) (but that was just in one colour). I'm itching to show you progress, but will be strong - come back tomorrow for more news.

Sorry if I've been a grumpy old bag lately, harping on about the 'shitty' days. I love my job, but when I say 'shitty' it really is meant quite literally. Teaching assistants have to do much more than just assist the teacher you know! I'd say that for 99% of the time, it's great fun, and the children are fantastic. They make me laugh so much - I was making pancakes with them once and they so wanted me to try flipping the pancakes. I explained that I wasn't very good at that, they always end up on the floor. One dear little boy proudly informed me that his dad was a great tosser. I can no longer look at that particular father without laughing. He must think I'm very odd. Me?

Two cakes

It's very difficult when you don't have the foggiest idea what to put on a cake. You don't know the recipient or if they're a laugh or if they're boring. Whether they like the colour green or detest it. All I was told about Frank - apart from his name - is that he likes steam engines, and in particular steam tractors. This is what I came up with - what do you think?

And Malcolm apparently likes going shooting. No idea what the poor guy looks like, but I guessed (I did this once for someone and guessed completely wrong - I gave the model a head full of brown hair when in reality he was bald. Quickly made a small bottle of miracle hair restorer - fortunately he saw the funny side of this!)

These cakes have taken a lot of time although it doesn't really look like it. I've not been to bed before 1am all week, up again at 6.30. As a result, I am now very tired in deed and starting to feel a tad poorly. No lie in tomorrow though, eldest son is going bag-packing in Sainsbury's and has to have a parent with him at all times. Trying to raise money for his football team.

The things you do as a parent eh? Three hours of packing other people's shopping into carriers. Then I have to go and do it for myself, otherwise it's stale bread and cheese again for tea.

Good luck in the rugby tomorrow England. Hold your heads high, whatever the score, you've done us proud (not that any of you will be reading this of course!)

Little pile of squares

This is it so far. 33 squares. Not a very big blanket yet and certainly not enough for 2, but there are another 6 weeks left I suppose, so I mustn't get down-hearted. Hopefully Kerrie has a few over at the shop along with a bit of money. (Have you Kerrie? Do tell.)

As it stands at the moment, I've had money from just 2 people, so Sara or Pam, the odds are looking good for you to win a very small blanket!

Julie Cotton Rabbit is also doing a bit of fund-raising, so pop along to her site and bid for a wonderful big rabbit called Rose. Julie is doing much better than I am and already has bids of nearly £100.

Must go, late for work. Wish me luck for this afternoon - I'm getting fed up of Shitty days...

Tipsy Birthdays

Well here she is then - progress on Tipsy is not as good as I hoped. I have pulled it back so many times - just a few rows at a time you understand (mind you, 20 rows of fair isle is heart-breaking to pull back!) The colour combinations have not been going well, and I know some people may still not agree with my choices (sorry Dee, the red and green combo just had to stay - I love it!) But if you don't like it, never mind, I do! I took this picture outside to try and get a good likeness of colours, but it really hasn't come out all that well. When it's all done, I'll try and get Marianne to take a reasonable one of it. Her photos are fantastic - go and check out her slide show from Ally Pally. And look for that one of the tree with the light shining through the leaves...

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Happy Birthday today to my dad. He's coming over tomorrow along with mum - the boys have requested a big chocolate cake for him, so we bought lots of chocolatey things to go on top. Sadly we couldn't resist the temptation and have been eating them already. Oops, don't worry dad we'll get some more!

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Don't ask me anymore about the price of the qiviut. I'm still reeling with the shock of it all. Suffice to say that I could have bought quite a lot of Posh Yarn Cashmere for the same price. Guilt. guilt, guilt. (But it really is very nice!)

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News tomorrow on the squares (or rather lack of them) for Oliver's blanket. Come on everyone, get those needles clicking!

Oh, I was bad...

I was bad. So very bad. This is Vera at the bottom of the hill on our way up to Alexandra Palace entrance. It was too steep for her to climb up, so she hitched a ride in my bag. At least that was her excuse. I think it was more to do with the bag of chocolate raisins hidden in its depths.




My first stop was at Hipknits, of course. This is Kerrie and her dad Richard who really didn't want his picture taken with a monkey, a teddy or a bee. But I sneaked one quickly while he wasn't paying attention. (I explained to him that Vera's creator, Monkee Maker, was slightly mad - sorry MM, but you are, the truth sometimes hurts! - and he said that was like the pot calling the kettle black). I have said it before and I will say it again. I am the most sane person I know.

Vera loved all the pretty colours of silk at Hipknits. I stayed chatting with Kerrie and Richard far too long. Once I finally shut up and started walking round, the main hall was pretty busy (ok, packed) and photo opportunities didn't arise. But Vera had loads of nice comments - she sat in my bag, with arms and head poking out of the top. People did keep calling her a him, so Kerrie kindly gave her some pink silk to wear as a sash so everyone knew she was a girly!

We had a lovely time there and came back with hundreds of ideas of things to make. Bought some yarn too, most of which was from Kerrie. And some great buttons from Injabulo.

And then there is this rather unassuming cake of brown yarn. Now I have been wanting some of this for ages. Really ages. Qiviut. Like I said. I was bad. I feel very guilty that I've spent this much on a single ball of yarn (daren't tell you how much). But I now feel that my knitting life is complete. I will endeavour to be very strong now and be on the strictest of yarn diets. Remind me of that someone please when you notice signs of weakness...

PS Warren, yes Vera was riding on the passenger seat, but who on earth is Flat Eric?