Sunday, January 27, 2008

Knitting

The Flared Lace Smoke Ring ended up a no-go. I couldn't knit a repeat without stuffing it up!
So Ice Queen was the next best thing. A nice easy knit, something that I think would be suitable as a quick Christmas gift, along with Fetchings.

Done...
Yarn: Caressa DK

I need to make another one though because I made this one too short, but it is okay for Miss A.



Kiri shawl has been started:
Yarn: Kauni EG
Needles: 4.5mm

Been doing some 'home improving' these holidays, as well as the outside, I got my plumbing fixed ( a few seized taps, new washers needed here and there, a dripping shower repaired etc ). I treated Miss A and I to a new bathroom vanity. The old one was small and dinky, only one cupboard and just about to rust through where the plughole was. Not to mention it was low compared to this one, no more stooping to wash my hands. Bliss.



Sunday, January 20, 2008

Forest Canopy is a FO

Finished it last night and blocked this morning:

Used my new lace blocking wires too.







Pattern: Forest Canopy
Yarn: Araucania 'Jewel' from Tapestry Craft

Was able to squeeze in 2 more repeats of the pattern and looking at the amount of yarn left I might have been able to do another, but wasn't game to try.



Is there anyone who is good at algebra - I need a tutor for my maths assignment. I started it at 9:30am
and when I finished, the clock read just past 3pm! I missed breakfast and lunch and I still need to recheck it. I hate maths.




I have 5 health lessons to plan for, an English assignment, this maths assignment and one maths exam left for this semester.


Now I am inbetween projects they are the last hing on my mind. I think a Kiri shawl might be next or a retry of the Flared Lace smokering in Kaalund 2ply.

Tuesday, January 15, 2008

I won a Golden Spork!

Tink had a delurking day and I commented - don't do that very often. Which made me eligible for the Golden Spork Awards. (Didn't know that)



I won a spot in the "Crafty/Creative" category.

Thanks Tink,

I'd also like to thank.....wait, I have a list here somewhere...a speech...just let me...

Yard Work

Blogger is not playing nice again and it is taking ever so long to upload a few photos.


I have spent the last four days working my ass off in the backyard, hauling a half tonne of rubble and a tonne of gravel. I wanted to put some gravel down to level the cat run a bit and to cover the bathtub sized hole where I dislocated my ankle. To do that I needed some edging. I had some long pine logs down the side of the shed, but to get to them meant that I needed to clean that up. It took half a morning to drag them out and clean up the side.

To cut a long story short - I've gravelled and rubbled all over the yard. The edging is done, the area in front of the cat enclosure is gravelled and the side of the shed is neater. I bought a garden swing - cos I've always wanted one and that sits on the gravelled part. It is beginning to look like a home instead of a neglected paddock. I put together a trampoline for Miss A's birthday present and the garden swing. I can feel my testosterone levels rising and have even gained some bicep muscle too!

The cat run is complete. Unfortunately the first night I let them out there one of them found a weak spot and escaped. Two visits later by Securakat and the enclosure is secure again. Luckily the cat came home that night and was easily coaxed down from her tree with a can of cat food. All that I need to do today is to clear an area of gravel to put in some grass. Then that's it - not doin' anything else these holidays - except start on three assignments and prepare for another maths exam. Ooh I past my first maths exam with 91% yay.

Here's a shot of the entrance:



Can't do much about the rainwater pipe though, but I have filled in an area in front and raised the ground level so that there is not such a step over. Heaven knows I don't want to trip over again.



Below you can just see the shadecloth that I put up that nearly killed me. I had to go out of my comfort level and up one more step on the ladder to reach the highest part and I was shaking like a leaf the whole time while cable tieing 5 metres of shadecloth to the house. Had to lay down for ages afterwards, I felt so sick.




This pile of junk and the old chair ( as well as the 11 foot long pine logs ) were down this side of the shed... I wish now that I had taken some before pictures it was atrocious.




Mr Ex used it to chuck his rubbish and any old bits of scrap he didn't want down there. I have never seen it this empty before. Now the neighbours are keen to replace the fence.

You can just see the edging around the grass here it looks better in real life. After years of having Mr Ex saying that what I wanted to do was too hard, I managed to do it - with the help of two children ( dear neighbour's 12yo son was keen to help and Miss A got us drinks on request - with much bellyaching ) but it feels good to know that I can do it alone.


As a treat I have gone on a yarn ordering adventure - please someone hand me the scissors to cut up my card with.

I have something coming form Kpixie which is unfortunately stuck in customs since the 7th January, in, wait for it....Montreal. What the....? How/why is it there?! The lovely lady from Kpixie says it will either get to me or make it's way back to them, sob, I want it now. That will teach me to place an order so close to New Year's Eve.


A package from Astrid's is on it's way as well.


Ecoyarns is having a sale and I have coveted some Wild Cherry Karaoke for ages and a sale is the best time to buy isn't it?


Shawl craziness has hit here. I am still loving the Forest Canopy Shawl, have fallen in love with the following shawl patterns: Kiri, Seraphim, Spring Things, Sumac Leaf ( damn Ravelry - will people stop cueing things please?!) Leaf Lace and Angel Lace from Fibretrends and Diamond Fantasy.
The good thing about this is that I still want to knit each and everyone of them I haven't lost enthusiasm for them which is unusual for me.


No links cos blogger is really effing me off with the slow uploading of pics. I waited for half and hour and then it came up with an error and I really must go dig the side up.

Saturday, January 05, 2008

First FO of 2008

I'm counting this as the first for 2008, even though I could have finished it New Year's Eve. It really needs blocking though, this is the first item where I didn't block the individual pieces and now I am regretting it.


Details:
Yarn - Neon from Bendigo - Bracken

Pattern - PT 8227 from Bendigo I modified the ribbing as they have it doubled and turned back on itself and use short rows and I didn't like that.


Stash Enhancement:
After umming and aahing for several weeks I caved and purchased:


Dream in Colour Smooshy - Dusky Aurora from Knitting Inspirations



Dream in Colour Smooshy - Gothic Rose also from Knitting Inspirations



Araucania - Ocean, from Tapestry Craft.
I would love to know how they dye this as not one strand is the same, and variations within the strand are mottled. One of my aims for this year is to clear out the shed and set up a dyeing area. I plan on getting a big table to lay the yarns on, storage for the dyes and utensils and maybe a second hand electric stove or a microwave specifically for dyeing. I have some Cascade 220 in a bright pink which I want to splatter with black and blue.


and Jewels also from Tapestry Craft


All of which I have in mind for shawls.





Like this one:

Forest Canopy Shawl, a tester for Miss A. I am loving knitting this! Not sure about the colours though but Miss A loves it.

Our cat enclosure should be done by Wednesday next week whereupon I will post pictures. The cats do not use the pet door willingly at the moment because it only goes to that square enclosure I posted about earlier. My neighbour had the idea to turn it on it's side and push it up against the cat flap enabling the cats to go outside of their own accord now. Rather than me fighting to put them into the enclosure out in the yard. I need to get some shadecloth ready too, as it gets very hot down that side in summer and they will need shade.

Uni studies are going well I received a letter commending me on my high acheivements (a Credit and a Distinction in my first 2 units) Assignments are due on the 14th of Jan so I am busy working on those. All is well there.

Can't wait to get back to work this year as I have spent way too much, need to focus on bills and debt this year as well as saving. I also want to focus on fitness too. Way overdue!

We went to the swim centre the other day and spent about 6 hours in the water- my friend encouraged me to move my arms and legs constantly, which I mostly did, by treading water the whole time. Miss A and her friend would not allow peaceful, floaty resting in the water ( I nearly fell asleep at one stage it was so nice!) that was an invitation to be splashed - today I am still stiff and cannot move easily. So more time on the treadmill is needed this year.

It has been so hot here, a heat wave last week 3 days over 40 degrees C, yesterday was close to 39 and today is supposed to be 39 degrees.That is about all I have been doing - study in the morning, try to knit the rest of the time and watch episodes of Angel. sweet.