A Day Out With Heather

I made this little yoked cardigan for Miyah out of some stash yarn. You know that feeling when you just have to knit a pattern but can't find quite the right yarn? This yarn is a bit busy for such a pretty design but it looks ok, well I think so. I added 6 stitches to each underarm, both on the sleeves and the body, I don't like patterns that have no shaping. I decreased the stitches on the sleeves every four rows to get back to the original number. The buttons are some antique ones I bought a while ago. I have realised that unless I actually use my precious stuff it will just sit there to eternity!

Looky! Barry has grown some amazing strawberries. The flavour is out of this world and we have loads to come.

He is also growing me some runner beans, oh how I love runner beans and I can't wait for them to appear. We have loads of pretty flowers in the garden too. Such a joy to work in, and to sit in and relax. Neither of us have had such a lovely garden to play with before, it is a new experience for us both.

~*~

Yesterday was such a beautiful day. Heather and I went to Bury-St-Edmunds in Suffolk. It was Heather's suggestion, so glad we went!

I was very naughty and bought loads of stuff I didn't need.

This obviously, some undyed yarn, ready for me to dye up. In there is some fine merino angora yarn, enough to make me a cardigan of some description, will definitely need swatching.

I also bought some pre drafted merino/silk fibre in a delightful hand painted colourway. Love the subtle bits of pink in it. I am waiting for the Tour de Fleece to have a spin up of all my special fibre. I wonder how much of it I will actually get done whilst the racing is on?

The amazing shop is run by the very talented Paula of The Yarn Gallery

Well worth a visit but it is best to phone first to check she is open..It is like an aladdin's cave in this old smithy's shop, think Heather and I might be moving to Bury soon...haha

We found a stall on the market selling pretty baskets at ridiculously cheap prices. I was encouraged to buy this one to put my undyed fibre in so my workroom would look a bit less messy. Looks lovely doesn't it?

I also bought this pretty basket with the intention of making some bits and bobs and giving it to the new mum. However, I'm not sure I can part with it as it is a perfect store for all the pink stuff I bought yesterday. I noticed that I really didn't have much or even any, machine washable, pink yarn so after a visit to the amazing Wibbling Woolshop, I think I made up for it!

There is a skirt draped over the side of the basket which I purchased from the market for £8. Not tried it on yet, hope it fits as I bought some sugar cane yarn from the woolshop to knit myself a top. The owner (sorry forgot her name) was knitting herself a Ms Marigold from the same yarn so I thought that maybe I would do the same. Don't think I'll add the ruffle at the shoulder though.

I have already cast on another little pink thing for Miyah, it's the Sugar Plum Cardi in the Sublime booklet. I am knitting it all in one rather than the separate back and fronts, I hate seams, especially in cotton yarn, they always look a bit loopy! I think that this little baby girl has made me go even more pink than usual, so sorry for all you people out there that don't like pink, I have to say that I love it!

When we were trying to find Wibbling Wools, we went into a sewing shop for directions and I came out with these beautiful linen fabric remnants. Perfect for some bags for my shop. Talking of which, as long as the UK has a player left in Wimbledon, I will remove the UK postage off everything and dramatically reduce it to everywhere else.

Miyah

Need I say more?

OK then, this is Miyah, Barry's latest Granddaughter. I took these photos this afternoon. The top photo is of a cute little cardigan I knitted for her out of some very pretty handspun yarn. The fibre is superwash blue faced leicester and was purchased from The Natural Dye Studio.

We now have SEVEN Grandchildren between us, not bad eh?

If you'd like to see more photos then click here for an online album of gorgeousness!

Have a lovely weekend

xx

....I was just wondering, what happened to the cat?

Well, yesterday was wet, dull, cold....but oh what a happy day it was! Barry Heather and I had such fun! Don't think I saw a sad face at the amazing UK Ravelry day, aren't crafters' the best? So many smiley faces, I hope I don't forget to name everyone.

The first person I met was WoollyWormhead, it was lovely to meet you Ruth...see you on twitter? I must get on and knit a Dulcie Hat, it is my favourite!

As we were about to venture out into the wet, I bumped into Debbie, Skein Queen. Our second meeting, this time she was a visitor as usually, Debbie is busy selling her wares at functions like this. I have to say Debbie, you must be the most speedy spinner I know, I only posted your fibre out on Wednesday I think, so you received it on Thursday and there you were, showing me your yarn. Glad I wore my necklace as it was the inspiration for the colours in that Shetland!

I have posted these photos in the order in which they were taken...first off is the lovely Sarah, what a darling she is! She came round and gave me a most lovely hug, I forgive you for the wet woolly coat cuddle! Sarah sells gorgeous hand dyed fibre from her shop Babylonglegs

(photo courtesy of Barry Cant)

This is me with my brolly soaking up the wet from the bottom of my too long trousers. My feet and ankles were freezing...didn't dampen my spirits though! lol

(photo courtesy of Barry Cant)

A poor wet Alpaca called Jabba, from Toft Alpacas

(photo courtesy of Barry Cant)

and another, this one is called Scallop...bet they were relieved when their Alpaca Taxi pulled up!

Here's Ruth, she's so lovely, we've been chatting for ages and it was special meeting for the first time! Ruth worked so hard yesterday, all the helpers and organisers did, thank you guys!

Sorry I put you on the spot Amanda, I know you don't like having your photo taken! But hey, who's that sneaking in on the shot eh? I absolutely adore The Natural Dye Studio's yarn and fibres, but I have so much at home that I really couldn't justify buying more...well not just now, no doubt I'll be back for more sometime soon!

Now Kate is responsible for me opening my shop on Etsy, did you know that Kate? She bought some of my very first batts and gave me the courage to get on with a dream! Thank you! Kate sells her gorgeous hand dyed fibre and yarn here

Keeping warm and happy in this photos is Nicsknots and Kraftykoala, two of my twittering friends! Lovely to meet you girls :^)

(photo courtesy of Barry Cant)

These pigeons have the right idea!

Oh the lovely Meg Swanson...I was so pleased to meet such a superstar in the knitting world! Barry, Heather and I went to listen to her talk about her wonderfully amazing Mother, Elizabeth Zimmerman. Meg read some excerpts from one of my favourite knitting books, The Opinionated Knitter. We were told of a time they stayed on an island in Canada, September 1971, the diary entry is on page 38, in case you wanted to read it. Anyway, I am thinking that you are wondering about the title of this post? Well, after the reading, Meg offered us a question and answer session which was very interesting. Halfway through this session someone sitting not to far away from me and sounding very familiar asked the question, "what happened to the cat?" !! Of course this was Barry's contribution to a session of questions and answers that otherwise he couldn't have asked anything, not knowing too much about the craft...go Barry! lol

Sorry I got your eyes closed Jared but I just had to include this photo! Jared Flood introducing Meg to the masses! I would have like to have gone to one of his workshops but then, I wouldn't have met up with so many of you! Barry loves his cobblestone you know!!

I just had to take another shot of Ruth with the bag I sent her in a swap we did last year. She loves it and tells me how well it is wearing too. Ruth manages to cram in plenty I can tell you haha!

(photo courtesy of Barry Cant)

Oh and lookeeee! Me with Meg....I love this photo, she is a darling and was so patient and happy to be with us all!

I also met Jane, Thimblina, TriciaindaHouse, brownie22, Fairydust ,

and Bettyknitter

I do hope I haven't left anyone out, I have the most terrible memory so give me a shout if you were there won't you?!

oops nearly forgot Andy, from Bluefaced, I bought some delicious yarn to dye for a KAL I am going to take part in as soon as I have dyed it up. Lovely to meet you Andy!

ETA I have updated my shop with rather a large amount of gorgeously delicious fibre, hope you like it too! FLUFF-n-STUFF

A Gorgeous Weekend!

Well Saturday was a very special day! Barry and I got to photograph the most beautiful wedding. After my initial worries about getting to the right location for the girls getting ready and then quite a drive to meet Barry at the Church, I was fine, thank goodness for sat nav!

When I entered their dressing room there was just this amazing feeling of calm. Everyone was happily going about their business and immediately I felt at home with the photography.

We worked so hard and the sun shone! Romance was high on the agenda, I do love this job...I slept well that night and quite a bit of the next morning too!

The happy couple have now gone on their honeymoon and hopefully we will have their photos ready for them to view by the time they return in a couple of weeks.

~*~

Yesterday and today we have had the most beautiful weather and after visiting a couple of garden centres and buying quite a few plants, we spent the rest of the last couple of days planting them. I love this garden, but it is growing like wildfire and bindweed is getting a hold. I can see that this garden will need a lot of attention.

~*~

This evening I am going to do some spinning, I have had the same fibre on the go for too long!

Weekend Update

I have been having fun with my carder, all these are for sale in my shop

~*~

We are photographing a wedding tomorrow, let's hope the sun shines and that I don't get lost!

~*~

Have a lovely weekend! xx

Tuscany 2009

To make it a bit easier to see the photos I have just added an album link this time, doing a video seemed to ruin the quality, you should be able to get to see all my other albums from this link too...

I only took my compact camera with me and although I am happy with the outcome, a few turned out rather over blown in the high light department.

I will take my big camera with me next time haha!

Tuscany 2009

The holiday seems such a long time ago now, yet it was only a week ago that we were our way to Pisa. A magical place!

~*~

We are off to a wedding this afternoon, as guests not photographers, a first for us! I daresay my camera will be attached to my person though. The weather is breezy and a bit cold but at least the sun is shining for now. I have bought myself some shoes with rather higher heels than I am used to, hope my poor feet can cope, might put my flatties into the boot of the car just in case.....

I have updated my shop, just in case you wanted to have a look

Have a good weekend

xoxox

A little taster

I have been very buy dyeing some yummy fibre..here's a little taster of what will be going into the shop, probably tomorrow...top picture is Blue Faced Leicester and Blue Faced Leicester/Kid Mohair, middle shot is Shetland and the bottom is some very delicious Oatmeal Blue Faced Leicester and Silk. I have had Italy on my mind whilst dyeing these fibres, the colours are vibrant, just like that amazing country. Hope you like them!

Oh and until I get these into the shop I have removed all the UK postage costs and reduced the postage costs to everywhere else, go grab a bargain! Fluff-n-Stuff