neverending lists

Calendar Challenge 2011

2012-01-03T19:11:00.001Z

A summary for 2011... My favourites are April, May and June.

I'm not going to do it this year... Running out of steam towards end... I'll maybe try a new challenge this year...

Although its lovely to look back on them...

Calendar Challenge

2012-01-03T19:03:00.001Z

A bit late... But here is my last page for Calendar Challenge 2011.

Some blank dates... I am working now!

I'm putting together a post with all my pages... Need to work out how to do it on my iPad...

Calendar challenge - November 2011

2011-12-12T14:48:00.001Z

Late again.

Links to other participants at Kathr yn Wheel.

This photo was taken with my iPad and the photo improved with Snapseed app.

The blog post written in Blogsy.

I love my iPad.

Hello

2011-12-01T21:51:00.001Z

It's been a while...

The Woolly Brew yarn shop is now open!

It's taken 32 days, and a couple of years of planning, but today Karen and I made our first sales. We survived, the customer survived and the till eventually stopped beeping at me.

I also got an iPad! Thanks to a very generous brother and a Black Friday sale it arrived this week.

Still finding my way but it's very intuitive. I'm typing this on it!

Still need to work out a few things... But love it.

Calendar Challenge - October 2011

2011-11-11T20:20:00.001Z

late again at posting this!

a linky thing at Kathryn Wheel for other participants.

iPad madness (part 13)

2011-11-11T19:39:00.001Z

some note taking templates at Amanda Hawkins

dyeing yarn with kool-aid tutorials

2011-10-12T09:00:00.000+01:00

blending 3 colours - Multi-Colored Custom Yarn Dyeing with Kool-aid (part 1) at Leethal
long stripes Multi-Colored Custom Tarn Dyeing with Kool-aid (part 2) at Leethal
variegated Crock Pot Yarn Dyeing at Leethal

turkey baster dyeing at Frontier Dreams
Dyeing wool with Kool-aid at itsastitchup
Dyed in the Wool at Knitty (lovely colour swatch at the bottom)

great shade chart here

and of course a Ravelry group!

kool-aid!

2011-10-11T18:54:00.000+01:00

for all your yarn dyeing needs...

now to find some undyed wool and some tutorials....

knitting magazines

2011-10-11T18:50:00.000+01:00

some US knitting magazines, courtesy of lovely big brother...

knitting - a new hat

2011-10-09T21:15:00.000+01:00

a new hat using Artist Palette Yarns and Lena by Quince & Co.

not sure I like it on me...

this yarn had been my first shawl - but I didn't like that on me either so I ripped it out

this may be a trend...

Calendar Challenge - September 2011

2011-10-05T22:25:00.001+01:00

The squares on the right hand page are cut out of the page.

big list of other participants in this Calendar Challenge at The Kathryn Wheel.

Only 3 more months to go!

food rut update

2011-09-25T09:03:00.000+01:00

Update on my food rut...

~~Mediterranean chopped salad~~ - good - nice in a wrap too, halved the dressing quantity
~~Prawns and Avocado with Old School Marie Rose Sauce~~ - easy, quick and tasty
~~Mini Shell Pasta with Creamy Smoked Bacon and Pea Sauce~~- good but E not impressed
~~Everyday Green Chopped Salad~~ - good, halved the dressing quantity
~~Chicken & White Wine Stew~~ - much better the next day, didn't look pretty,
Parmesan Chicken Breasts with Crispy Posh Ham
Banana Tarte Tatin

knitting to do

2011-09-24T08:58:00.000+01:00

I need to finish:-
Baby Miss Greenjeans
Peggy Sue
Handwarmer
Poppy

I would like to start:-
Hotshot
Dew Point
Wispy Cardigan
Lena

I also fancy these Peppermint Twist socks by Kate Atherley using Yarn Yard Clan...

I also have some shop samples to do too...

knitting needle wrap

2011-09-22T21:26:00.001+01:00

interchangeable knitting needle wrap using this tutorial

all done!

I redid the zip but made the same mistake again - cutting the hole too big. It looked ok but as I fiddled with it the edges frayed and it started to look too messy... Despite not having a big enough piece of fabric to do it again I unpicked it cut the fabric in half. and sewed it back together again. The zip 'hole' is better but its squint. I daren't unpick again...

I'm really pleased with. My handstitching is wonky and the zip isn't good but I love the fabric and it works really well with my Knit Pro needles - which I hope to add to...

knitting needle wrap

2011-09-20T10:40:00.000+01:00

knitting needle wrap update...

so my zip arrived and I worked out how to sew it in... but its my first zip... and it didn't look good.

I managed to patch it but it was bugging me, so I cut the top part of the wrap off and unpicked the zip. I will try again on another piece of fabric and then 'neatly' sew that piece to the main fabric of the wrap. I'd rather a 'straight' line of stitching across the wrap than a patched up zip...

three years

2011-09-19T10:36:00.000+01:00

You can close your eyes and pray that she’ll come back or you can open your eyes and see all she’s left.
Your heart can be empty because you can’t see her or you can be full of the love you have shared.
You can turn your back on tomorrow and live yesterday or you can be happy for tomorrow because of yesterday.
You can remember her and only that she has gone or you can cherish her memory and let it live on.
You can cry and close your mind, be empty and turn your back or you can do what she’d want – smile, open your eyes, love, laugh and go on.

knitting needle wrap

2011-09-12T21:01:00.000+01:00

I've recently (finally) acquired some Knit Pro interchangeable needles.

These are tips (the knitting needle bit) which screw onto cables. You get different lengths of cables and also little bits that can screw onto the cables when you take your needles off to use them on other projects.

You can use them as circular needles or just simply knit back and forth for flat knitting.

I only have 3 needle tips and 2 cables (120cm) but I'd like to get more as I like the wooden needles...

So obviously I will need another knitting needle case to store them in, and with my newly acquired fabric stash in mind I found this tutorial.

Despite having lots of other stuff to do I spent a few hours today making this...

I need to get a zip before sewing the whole lot together...

(and insert the zip)

Now... zips, who knew there are so many different types?

mydailylists

2011-09-11T21:25:00.002+01:00

Margaret Cooter has an interesting offer as she continues her exploration of books, text and the journey they can travel.*

Check it out to take part.

*I wrote that quickly... makes sense to me but perhaps not a complete definition of Margaret's work!

iPad madness (part 12)

2011-09-09T20:43:00.000+01:00

SimpleCount (£0.69)
Enjoy Sudoku (£1.99)
Blogger

stuck in a rut...

2011-09-09T12:34:00.000+01:00

...a food rut.

Its a pattern - I don't really cook in the Summer. So...

Finally bought a copy of Jamie Oliver's Ministry of Food (so far just borrowed from library) and with the help of some post it notes I've marked some recipes to try.

School Girl and Hubby have to like them too (apart from the Prawn one - Karen is coming for lunch) and the ingredients can't be too expensive or perishable.

Not all of them are new but certainly ones I haven't made for a while.

So... recipes to try in the next week...

Prawns and Avocado with Old School Marie Rose Sauce
Mini Shell Pasta with Creamy Smoked Bacon and Pea Sauce
Everyday Green Chopped Salad
Chicken & White Wine Stew
Parmesan Chicken Breasts with Crispy Posh Ham
Banana Tarte Tatin

There are many more marked... Strange how many of these ones are on the Ministry of Food website... maybe the most populist!

Calendar Challenge - August 2011

2011-09-07T11:41:00.002+01:00

bit late...

hasn't photographed very well and there are a few blank days...

big list of other participants in this Calendar Challenge at The Kathryn Wheel.

iPad madness (part 11)

2011-08-30T20:53:00.001+01:00

Terra - Web Browser
Note Hub
Daily Notes +Todo
Noteshelf
iCab Mobile
Index Card

birthday girl

2011-08-30T07:22:00.000+01:00

Goldilocks

5 today

iPad madness (part 10)

2011-08-29T23:15:00.001+01:00

GrowJo ($2.99)
App Hits for iPad (free)

Jam Jar @ £158.13

knitting - red lace socks

2011-08-21T01:30:00.000+01:00

Drops Lace Sock

I still can't photograph red well...

I'm only doing one (its a sample for the shop)... I used Drops Fabel. I like it and I'm not really a red lacy sock kind of person... would maybe wear it if it was grey or black... and if I knitted another one.

I am still alive...

2011-08-20T21:16:00.000+01:00

Busy busy...

Pittenweem Arts Festival

2011-08-07T22:05:00.002+01:00

The Woolly Brew is at the Pittenweem Arts Festival this week...

iPad madness (part 9)

2011-08-04T08:33:00.002+01:00

My iPad jam jar is at £137.40.

slowly but surely...

Calendar Challenge - July 2011

2011-08-02T16:28:00.001+01:00

Completed July page for Calendar Challenge.

Not entirely happy with it. My usual method of having a basic page then adding to it during the month has not really worked - probably because I haven't spent any time on it during the month! Haven't taken a photo of August page yet. Will post ASAP

A linky to other pages by other participants is at The Kathryn Wheel.

knitting - red racy socks

2011-07-29T12:09:00.002+01:00

Drops Lace Socks in Fabel using a lace chart!

I've recently had an urge to knit a plain coloured sock. I hadn't planned on doing anything lacy (I was thinking cables) but I saw this pattern and thought I'd give it a go.

We're researching yarns for The Woolly Brew yarn shop and we bought a range of Drops yarns to try out... I'm not entirely sure we I choose a red yarn for a sock but now I'm thinking it'll stand out as a sample in the shop...

I've used Fabel before to knit some toddler socks and really liked it - a good economical choice!

some DROPS

knitting - cardigan

2011-07-28T13:51:00.001+01:00

We've started a Work In Progress Wednesday post on The Woolly Brew website. Which means I haven't been updating my knitting so much on here...

So for completeness (and since my cardigan saga has been going on for nearly a year...) I'll update here too...

This is what my Peggy Sue (by Linda Wilgus, aka Woolly Mammoth) looked like this last week...

and this is what it looks like this week...

I have done more stocking stitch rows - I think I need to do another 6 or so before I get to the cable ribbing...

I still haven't tried it on (needles too short) although another Raveller who is doing the Knit ALong suggested I put some stitches onto another circular needle. This sounds so much easier than putting them on a piece of waste yarn....

and it is BLACK not charcoal or navy... or whatever colour the monitor shows it as!

I am enjoying knitting it and I do feel excited by the possibility of knitting my own cardigans etc - and I'm learning to look at what will suit me and my lifestyle and not be seduced by the bazillion patterns I see on Ravelry. I especially liked this (lengthy) article on Knitty about knitting your own garments...But Will it Fit? by Jenna Wilson.

I am a bit concerned that the cotton/linen blend will not work for this cardigan - too loose and drapey, although I am confident (!!??!?!?) that my gauge is ok (I went down half a size).

I'm already planning my next garment project...

iPad madness (part 8)

2011-07-23T21:21:00.000+01:00

New app!

Wreck this App by Keri Smith

Daisychains ABC Crewel Sampler

2011-07-22T17:57:00.000+01:00

Daisychains ABC Crewel Work Pattern Sampler by Alicia Paulson

Patten has been transferred and stitching has begun.

I've never used crewel wools before. They're very different from my usual smooth embroidery cotton....

knitting - cardigan

2011-07-20T17:26:00.003+01:00

I'm struggling to photograph black...

Finally separated the sleeves on my Peggy Sue (by Woolly Mammoth aka Linda Wilgus).

At that point I had 370 stitches on my needles... This is knit top down and seamless. That should allow me to try it on after separating the sleeves (good for checking fit and adjusting the length of the body).

Sadly my needles are not long enough! I thought this when I started but cast on anyway... If I am going to do more top down garments in the future I WILL need to get longer needles...

fabric stash

2011-07-18T08:30:00.000+01:00

Whilst looking for fabric for my ABC Crewel Sampler I happened to stumble upon some fabric sales...

Combined with a few pieces I picked up last month I now have quite stash! Most are fat quarters and a few are metre lengths.

Daisychains ABC Crewel Sampler

2011-07-17T08:19:00.000+01:00

I have just seen my last post on a different monitor and it seems the brown one is a better match...

I think I need a second (real life) opinion.... and I'll just pick the one that looks good - whether it matches the original or not!

Daisychains ABC Crewel Sampler

2011-07-16T19:00:00.002+01:00

I've decided the fabric I had for this sampler was too gold. I'm now torn between two other fabrics... one a more definite brown, the other more yellow...

gold

brown

yellow

I think the yellow one matches the original colour best....

Daisychains ABC Crewel Work Pattern Sampler by Alicia Paulson

Now I need to transfer the design...

knitting - mermaid

2011-07-15T21:33:00.001+01:00

Kailani the Mermaid by Rachel Borello Carroll

For Nearly School Girl.

She now wants a pink one and a purple one and one for a friend...

knitting - eternity cowl

2011-07-14T17:43:00.000+01:00


Eternity Cowl using Rowan Lima.

Finished. It is super soft and squishy...

Daisychains ABC Crewel Sampler

2011-07-13T22:22:00.001+01:00

Materials have arrived for this project!

bit concerned the fabric isn't mustard enough...

colour wheel

2011-07-11T22:56:00.001+01:00

I love colour wheels.

Each arty/crafty course I've ever done always starts with colour theory and ideas to create colour wheels.

This idea, by that artist woman, is a new one to me and really appeals... since I like sketchbooks, project books, colour wheels, reference guides and all in one kits!

Daisychains ABC Crewel Sampler

2011-07-08T20:44:00.004+01:00

Daisychains ABC Crewel Work Pattern Sampler by Alicia Paulson

Found via Feeling Stitchy, and created by Alicia Paulson of Posie Rosy Little Things.

The pattern is available for sale in the shop.

Isn't it AMAZING!

It's my newest project... just ordered the crewel wools and fabric... it will measure 23cm x 32cm

Blogger

2011-07-08T08:09:00.000+01:00

I'm using the new blogger design to type this post...

Its a bit odd... no change to functionality but looks very different...

Also read this recently too... Google are retiring the Blogger brand name...

I don't subscribe to "if it ain't broke don't fix it", as I quite like change and shaking things up... as long as it doesn't mess up my blog!

iPad madness (part 7)

2011-07-06T20:08:00.000+01:00

My iPad jam jar is at £126.68.

My fund raising efforts have stalled - too busy working (for no pay!) but I need to get going again as I still really want one.

Found this helpful tutorial on Ravelry - how to link your Ravelry library to GoodReader.

I don't have GoodReader but I think it would be good to link my Ravelry library to it....

Fife Art Exhibition

2011-07-05T09:05:00.003+01:00

that time of year again. I didn't do it last year... not sure I'll have time this year...

knitting - cardigan

2011-07-04T09:11:00.001+01:00

Whilst browsing through the hundreds of projects I have favourited on Ravelry I clicked through to my current favourite cardigan to discover that the designer Woolly Mammoth (aka Linda Wilgus) is having a knit along on her Ravelry group. So I have decided to take the plunge and start the cardigan (despite having several other projects on the pins...)

I decided on Patons Linen Touch, for several reasons - I wanted a cotton or cotton blend (not too warm and less chance of bobbling) and also to try out the yarn. My black acrylic swatch was just looking too fuzzy for my liking....

I'm going with black - more chance of me wearing it. Hope the cabling still looks good...

Apatosaurus

2011-07-03T09:46:00.002+01:00

Apatosaurus has flat teeth because they eat plants

Calendar Challenge - July 2011

2011-07-02T09:15:00.000+01:00

My July page for Calendar Challenge.

A little bit of colour (and some bubble wrap!)

A linky to other pages by other participants is at The Kathryn Wheel.

Calendar Challenge - June 2011

2011-06-30T16:35:00.000+01:00

My June page for Calendar Challenge.

Half way through!

A linky to other pages by other participants is at The Kathryn Wheel.

This page has photographed better than it looks in real life. I spent less time aimlessly doodling this month... but you can't beat some black paint and a piece of bubble wrap!

In fact I haven't even prepared a page for July yet!

colour

2011-06-30T12:03:00.001+01:00

colour

2011-06-30T09:00:00.001+01:00

colour

2011-06-29T09:54:00.001+01:00

hamsters

2011-06-28T22:32:00.001+01:00

our lastest cardboard project... a hamster cage.

inspirations in nature - part 22

2011-06-28T09:09:00.001+01:00

inspirations in nature - part 21

2011-06-27T09:04:00.001+01:00

inspirations in nature - part 20

2011-06-26T22:03:00.000+01:00

empire biscuits

2011-06-24T09:06:00.001+01:00

Made by Nearly School Girl for her Nursery Fun Day. Very cheery!

knitting - eternity cowl

2011-06-23T20:53:00.000+01:00

Despite an unfinished Poppy I have cast on for my Eternity Cowl using Rowan Lima.

This yarn is 84% baby alpaca. It is very very very very soft. This is my first time knitting with alpaca. I'm holding the needles very loosely as I don't want to hurt the yarn! Its soooooo squishy. It will be very cosy round my neck...

garden 2011 - update

2011-06-21T09:10:00.002+01:00

broad beans

courgette (sown 18th March)

baby sweetcorn (sown 20th May)

French Bean (Sown 14th April)


Lettuce

Tomato and Cucmber (sown 14th April)

Peas (Sown 14th April)

mini veg plot

iPad madness (part 6)

2011-06-20T20:36:00.000+01:00

So, I think I've solved my iPad problems re photos and blogging (ramblings here).

I tried out Blogsy today and it worked really well, within 10 minutes I had worked out how to link my blog and my flickr account and publish a post. Blogsy can also link to other web albums but I think I'll stick to Flickr and go back to a Pro account. Flickr also links to Picnik which I do like for photo editing. Although Picnik won't work on the iPad as its Flash based.... I think I'll check out other photo editing apps...

I won't use Dropbox for photos. Thus no duplication....

I did find this app - FlickStackr (£1.19) which looks good for using Flickr and uploading photos. Although I will need this:-

iPad Camera Connection Kit (£25)
The iPad Camera Connection Kit gives you two ways to import photos and videos from a digital camera: using your camera’s USB cable or directly from an SD card.

and FlickStackr also says this:-

"NOTE : Under iOS 4.x, FlickStackr may require "Location Access" to be able to browse the photo library. This is an iOS 4.x limitation imposed by Apple to apps. Other apps which do not require it will NOT get you Exif or full resolution."

Which I don't fully understand the implications of...

Of course this may all change...

Hello from my brother's iPad!

2011-06-20T16:23:00.002+01:00

I'm typing this blog post using ~~blowsy~~ BLOGSY! Not sure it will work....

This is how you link?...... I think.

That link doesn't work..... Mmmmmmm

This is a photo from Flickr

Another link done a different way.

Cut and paste.

Very intuitive....

Is there a spell check?

OK.... Now to publish.

Had to edit.... Got the blog address wrong! (and edit again because I was typing too fast on the on-screen keyboard!)

new way to view blogger blogs...

2011-06-17T20:46:00.000+01:00

found via How About Orange.

Did you know about this? Dynamic views for readers.

For a flipcard view simply add /view/flipcard to the end of a blogger blog address...

http://www.fionacupcake.blogspot.com/view/flipcard

Just click on the blog title to view another blogger blog

A good way to get an overview of a new blog...

LYS

2011-06-15T10:48:00.000+01:00

Last year I blogged about Karen and I opening a Local Yarn Shop.

We have been looking for suitable premises for over a year. In the meantime we started The Woolly Brew and designed and made yarn and felt kits. We sold these at local craft fairs and gift shops.

We set up our website, Facebook page and newsletter. We talked with lots of people - knitters, financial and business advisers and family and friends. And still we looked for suitable premises...

We checked out several but as we are very keen to stay in East Neuk - the area needs a good shop and we want to stay close to home - there wasn't much to choose from!

Finally after a tip off from one of our knitting group ladies we have found a shop!

The Woolly Brew - the yarn shop. Coming to Pittenweem High Street December 2011.

EXCITING!!!!

toy issue of Petite Purls!

2011-06-14T14:52:00.000+01:00


Texture Bite by Nancy Anderson

lots more here

orange and blue

2011-06-13T23:45:00.001+01:00

I picked up some fabric at the weekend.

I also picked up a ball of cotton - very cheap cotton (50% cottton, 50% acrylic). I used it for a little treble crochet practice. It came out abit velvety (its the orangey red one).

Inspired I did another one using some Debbie Bliss Eco Cotton (duck egg blue) - it was lovely if a bit splitty.

And to round it off (and to compare mercerised with not mercerised) I used Patons 100% Cotton (the one we use in The Woolly Brew Crochet kit). Its crispy compared to the others.

knitting - Sea Queen Day

2011-06-11T20:35:00.000+01:00

It was rather wet so numbers were down, but it was still a good day... feel abit chilly now though

We had The Woolly Brew kits and the charity stall...

the newborn cardigan and some cakes were unsold and Poppy although unfinished should be sold...

celebrity moment... bare with me

2011-06-11T09:34:00.001+01:00

Whilst on Ravelry searching yet again for top down cardigans I did a wee search for a bolero. I have one which I wear often and I've tried before to knit one but haven't managed to get a good fit, feeling a little more confident in my abilities I think I will give it another go (especially as I can't find one I would like to buy).

So I found a pattern to buy, Lemongrass by Stephanie Japel. Its not quite like the one I have but it looks interesting to knit and looks nice both open and closed. A further search for a yarn to knit it with led me to the Drops website - a yarn brand I have used before and one I think we should investigate further for The Woolly Brew yarn store (more on that later).

Back to Ravelry to read what others think of the yarn Nepal, I decided to have a look at other peoples projects to look at the colours and reviews etc. Apparently it has very good stitch definition!

Anyway back to the designers website and Drops to find out about yardage and how much I would need to buy... I notice Stephanie has a free stuff link. Saving for my iPad I decided to take a wee look.

Therapi - a long open cardigan - caught my eye. Its similar to one I bought last year but never liked - too tight across the back and it bobbled as soon as I looked at it...

So back to Ravelry to check out its projects and read reviews and advice etc and one stood out - bright pink! Not my colour to wear but I like to look at it...

The notes left by the knitter were amusing and a word of warning given she knitted the XS and I would be the XL at least... And it looked good on her and she looked familiar....

I clicked through to her profile page and I vaguely recognised the name... quick google and its Astrid from Fringe!

I maybe need to step away from the Internet...

confused

2011-06-10T20:37:00.001+01:00

new slideshow of a Woolly Brew Bangle Bag Kit posted on The Woolly Brew site using resized photos and our new Flickr account... phew...

I've also been making some little extras for us to sell at Sea Queen Day tomorrow - didn't quite manage my original quota but there are 25 various stick pins, kirby grips and hair clasps..

this photo is not resized and took longer to upload...

I'm trying to work out the best way to manage my photos especially re blogging. Not so happy with Picasa - mainly because I have lots of photos and they are saved on a network. I'm trying to use Dropbox so I can access them on the iPad. Can't be bothered transferring everything over (HUGE files) so thought I could resize the photos and reduce time and file size but it takes a while to resize in Picnik... just resize the new photos and upload them to Dropbox? I of course don't blog about all my photos so don't need to have immediate access to them all but then I'm not just sorting by subject matter but also how I'm going to use them.. again abit of a phaff... AND without even realising it I've reached the limit on my Picasa web album just by having this blog! I need to buy more storage (which is cheap). BUT also realised that editing - rotating, cropping etc does not change the original file just the image in the Picasa album... I'm confused... and I don't even have an iPad! maybe would be easier if I did...

I think I need to draw a picture or something to get my head round this...

testing resized photos...

2011-06-10T19:15:00.000+01:00

how does this look? I've reduced the file size....

numbers

2011-06-09T22:05:00.000+01:00

351 unread posts in my Google Reader
82 posts away from 1000 on this blog... (oh giveaway?)
£98 in my iPad jam jar (miscounted earlier - forgot my loose change jar)

iPad madness (part 5)

2011-06-09T09:03:00.002+01:00

£85 raised so far...

fund raising may stall for a while whilst The Woolly Brew takes over... and I hunt for other stuff to sell....

garden 2011 - update

2011-06-08T22:03:00.000+01:00

mini veg plot

I lost a pea plant to the slugs and the french beans have not done well (too cold and windy perhaps). But the lettuce is doing well. The radish is looking good and the carrots are peeping through too.

Cucumber are going great guns!

Cucumber sown 14th April


Courgette sown 18th March

Courgettes have also struggled with the chop and change weather... would have been better to leave them in the conservatory for longer I think... radish are doing well though...

Tomatoes are ok... although I have mixed them up and I'm not entirely sure which are cordon and which are bush...

Still haven't got the cover on the greenhouse... this weekend maybe.

Knitting - Poppy

2011-06-06T09:05:00.002+01:00

Poppy by Ysolda Teague

Her pants aren't quite as saucy as Rosie...

Hand-Stitched Vogue Magazine Covers

2011-06-05T09:10:00.000+01:00

by Inge Jacobson

found via Dezine Weblog (via my brother)

check out the back sides following this link.

Knitting - cable vest for a baby

2011-06-04T09:01:00.000+01:00

A free pattern from naturallycaron finished for Sea Queen day on 11th June.

I only cabled the front (kept the knit and purl pattern only on the back), fudged picking up the stitches around the v-neck (again!) and didnt have the right sized needles...

quite pleased though... I've done three cable projects this year!

iPad madness (part 4)

2011-06-03T22:01:00.000+01:00

more apps for future reference...

Solitaire
Scrabble (£1.19)
UK Car Driving Theory Test! (£1.79)
Student Pad (£0.59)
Garden Planner (£2.39)
Obliquely Productive (Euro 0.79)
ThinkBook ($2.99)
KnittingHelp Video Reference ($4.99)

Calendar Challenge - June 2011

2011-06-01T16:39:00.001+01:00

A rather blank, stark page for June... wonder what it will look like at the end of the month....

I'm using Picasa to upload this and write this post... I've started to shift my files about in readiness for my iPad (£98 raised so far!)

Edited to make the photo bigger and add some links and tags... and why is there a Picasa logo here...

Calendar Challenge - May 2011

2011-05-31T10:00:00.001+01:00

My May page for Calendar Challenge.

A linky to other pages by other participants will appear at The Kathryn Wheel.

garden 2011 - update

2011-05-30T22:21:00.003+01:00

courgette sown 18th March and radish sown 1st May

The courgette plant was ripped (bit dramatic?) from the pot during the high winds last Monday...

baby sweetcorn sown 20th May

Cucumber sown 14th April (luckily still indoors!)

Knitting - Poppy

2011-05-30T21:50:00.000+01:00

Poppy by Ysolda Teague

Another Poppy for Sea Queen day.

I love this photo of a limbless body... as seen here and here from previous Poppies.

knitting - cardigan

2011-05-26T22:55:00.000+01:00

my head may have been turned... Lady Chatreuse Sweater (Ravelry link)

iPad madness (part 3)

2011-05-23T21:09:00.000+01:00

Some interesting app recommendations from the I Love My iPad group on Ravelry:-

Paprika as a recipe book - clip from website and manually add your own (shopping list and use as meal planner too)
Quickoffice ($9.99) for viewing, creating, editing Mircosoft Office documents.
GoodReader (£2.99) for reading anything! Annotate pdfs and zoom in too. I especially liked this bit of their blurb "The ability to mark-up PDFs opens up new doors to GoodReader users who can now use typewriter text boxes, sticky notes, lines, arrows, and freehand drawings on top of a PDF file." Probably just the same as iAnnotate?

and one I forgot from my last list - Spotify.

iPad madness (part 2)

2011-05-20T21:55:00.001+01:00

A list of apps for my iPad (once I have saved up hundreds of pounds....)

It comes with 18 apps... including Safari (internet browser), iBooks (organise and read books, pdfs, documents etc), Notes (for note taking using the on screen keyboard).

Other apps I think I may need are:-

iAnnotate PDF (£5.99)- for taking notes on my patterns etc.
Flipboard (free) - puts all my social media in a magazine layout
Note Taker HD (£2.99) - writing and organising handwritten notes (may need a stylus?)
TuneIn Radio Pro (£0.99)- for listening to the radio!
Blogsy ($2.99) or BlogPress ($2.99) - writing blog posts

I'm going to read through the I love my iPad group on Ravelry for more ideas...

100% wool felt

2011-05-20T09:41:00.001+01:00

I'm investigating fabric to make some of the toys in the Wee Wonderfuls book...

a few of the toys use 100% wool felt although wool blends are ok to. We use wool blends at The Woolly Brew (soft and cosy and economical!) but I was curious at the choice within 100% wool felt...

Quick order to Blooming Felt, and a quick dispatch, delivered this shade card...

love the flower shapes!

very thick!

Is this too thick for doll making?

garden 2011 - update

2011-05-19T21:40:00.000+01:00

tomatoes and basil (sown 14th April)

courgettes (sown 18th March) radish (sown 1st May)

cucumber 14th April

mini veg plot - peas, beans, radish (carrot) lettuce

baby sweetcorn!

iPad madness (part 1)

2011-05-18T20:40:00.001+01:00

My brother recently bought an iPad. For him it makes sense, taking into account his lifestyle and current media needs.

He brought it up last week for a visit... and I am smitten...

I use a laptop (a 'new' hand me down from hubby) and to a lesser extent a desktop PC. I use them for:-

book-keeping
photo editing and storage
creation of packaging and documents
word processing
document storage (mostly patterns & tutorials!)
email
Internet use

My Internet usage is mostly:-

Google Reader for the blogs I read
home shopping - including groceries
my blog
The Woolly Brew
social media - only Facebook really
surfing! I currently use and highly recommend Evernote for 'clipping' ideas and info
news and radio and I've been watching/listening to a few videos recently too

My laptop is perfectly adequate for all of these.

Add to that, I don't like computer games (apart from solitaire on my mobile phone). I don't watch movies or read fiction or indeed listen to music anymore and I don't have any desire to have 'facetime' with anyone. And I don't have an extensive social network to follow, like, share or tweet.... nor do I need to do much 'on the move'.

So why spend £399 on an entry level iPad (and £35 on a cover and maybe £20 on apps)? Especially when I have no income and there are many more pressing things to spend extra money on...

And especially when I will only use it for things I already do on my laptop and paper diary....

er... it will look nicer

Is that a good enough reason?

When I worked (a job that paid) and travelled, I had a Palm Pilot (circa 1996) and I remember being totally obsessed with that too and used it extensively for diaries and lists and note taking... I even learnt how to write using graffiti...

garden 2011 - update

2011-05-18T09:39:00.001+01:00

broad bean (Sutton) 16th May

Whilst picking up some more big pots at the garden nursery I saw some broad bean plants... I love broad beans....

I'm now going to try and find some baby sweetcorn plants as Nearly School Girl is slightly manic about them and has me a wee bit addicted too... not sure how easy it will be to grow them in a container in a windy Fife garden.

Knitting - cable vest for a baby

2011-05-17T09:26:00.001+01:00

I'm currently knitting a cable baby vest for sale at Sea Queen day. I did have one on my original to do list but I have found myself knitting this simpler one!

pattern free from naturallycaron

The front is done and I've started the back, hopefully I'll finish it soon as Sea Queen Day is 11th June and we're in need of more stuff to sell!

Wee Wonderfuls by Hillary Lang

2011-05-16T20:22:00.002+01:00

Amazingly this book was available through the library!

I've followed Hillary Lang's blog for several years, admired her stitchette patterns and even bought one of her patterns.

As a very (very) occasional sewer I couldn't justify buying the book so had an eye out for it in my library...

It is very cute!

Goldilocks (a red cape is also included to make her Red Riding Hood!)

gorgeous yarn hair and pattern for matching doll quilt

comes with a pattern for a girl's apron

There are lots of other designs - boys and animals - but the girls are my favourite.

However Nearly School Girl has picked THIS!

Not quite as cute and a little obscure... oh well...

There is a flickr photo pool here.

Sewing on Leaves - update

2011-05-14T20:15:00.000+01:00

leaves originally stitched 13th October 2009

weaving

2011-05-14T09:00:00.006+01:00

These little balls of yarn are for weaving on a paper plate... inspired by this idea at That Artist Woman.

I'm going to try it out with Four Year Old (if she ever stops digging in the garden) and then try it out at her nursery.

Not sure if it will work out but an egg box filled with centre pull balls looks good....

it's back

2011-05-13T21:28:00.000+01:00

Blogger has been AWOL for the day.

Slightly concerned about the outage...

This is a test post from my brother's iPad!

2011-05-11T13:37:00.001+01:00

Let's try and insert a photo.

Oops needs a work around.....

to do list update

2011-05-11T09:37:00.002+01:00

(not including Kingdom of Adventure or The Woolly Brew)

knit my other handwarmer since my chunky ones are looking a bit manky
knit more stuff for Sea Queen! - URGENT!

~~finish cable bag~~
~~knit a baby jumper~~
knit a childs hat
knit another doll - not sure which one.. Poppy/Rosie or Dolly or something different...

hexagons:-

do more with my hexagons
crochet hexagons
teeny tiny hexagons

make up a photo frame for Four Year Olds 5th year photos!

make something special... now very very overdue....
do more on my cardigan... I'm going to wash and (discretely) wear my swatch

read my new books!

gut the front garden - weed, lift the roses, dig, add some manure, plant some shrubs...

shrubs donated by Father in Law

dots

2011-05-10T09:28:00.001+01:00

I'm loving the dots on my May Calendar Challenge page.. I keep adding more... depsite the fact I have lots of other (more) important stuff to do...

knitting - newborn cardigan

2011-05-09T21:28:00.000+01:00

newborn cardigan with short sleeves for Sea Queen

A free pattern using gifted yarn. Less than 50g!

Knitted top down and seamless. My new favourite way to knit!

For the Sea Queen stall on Saturday 11th June in St Monans.

cardboard challenge

2011-05-08T09:36:00.002+01:00

at Tinker Lab found via Artful Parent

"...I asked them (and their children!) to create anything they like using at least one cardboard box. The project would be executed by children, but grown-ups were welcome to facilitate and/or collaborate if the mood struck. Links to my twenty-two collaborators can be found at the end of this post, and I’d encourage you to do a little blog hopping today (or save this for when you have some time) and bookmark those posts that inspire YOU."

from Tinker Lab

garden 2011 - update

2011-05-08T09:33:00.000+01:00

courgette sown 28th March and radish sown around it on 1st May

peas, beans and lettuce sown 14th April.... some planted out

peas planted out

knitting - cable bag

2011-05-07T21:21:00.000+01:00

Cable bag for sale at charity stall for Sea Queen

Pattern (and free bag handles) from Simply Knitting issue 64

neverending list on Ravelry

2011-05-06T21:03:00.000+01:00

I have just noticed I have marked over 400 patterns on Ravelry as a favourite....

better get knitting...