Long time no blog?!

Well, it's been a while. I do have an excuse, the usual I'm afraid. I've not been well but I'm much better now thank goodness.

Anyway here's the UK Swap topic for this week.

Topic of the Week #6: Swapping

Q: Have you done a swap before (doesn't have to be a knitting swap)? What do you like best about swapping? Are there any personal "requirements" that a swap has to have before you will join?

I love swapping. I don't have the energy to do lots at one time but when I do join a swap I will throw myself in it 100%. I enjoy putting parcels together and hope my partner likes them...so far so good. Like I've said before I like to see how people interpret my likes and dislikes. It's fab to 'meet' different people too.

I've done 2 knitting related swap bot swaps and 2 Sp swaps too! I've also sent little parcels to friends for birthdays or just to cheer them up. Oh yeah I've done sock wars twice too!!!

The only requirement for me is that it has to be something I'm interested in ...obviously!

I've put the SSS aside as it was becoming too stressful to try and do 2 mystery shawls at once...esp with my health being crap! It's made a big difference and I'm now up to date with SoSii.

Here it is trying it's hardest to show off draping over Audrey! (not the best photo) I've added another clue since that pic.

This is the hand spun (with what looks like George in the way as usual)I was going to use for my mate's scarf but it didn't look right at all. So I've started it in some DBliss alpaca silk I had hiding in my stash....the hand spun is now having a think as to what it wants to be!

I'm in the middle of a pressie for my UK Swap Pal. The rest of her parcel is finished so just got to get cracking on that.

I went to Guild on Saturday with Chris. We made Yorkshire buttons. Chris was fab and drove all the way from her house to mine(about 40Min's) and onto guild and back again! Her confidence is really coming on, plus it really helped me as there was no way I could have driven on Sat!

Quick msg to my SP....I've not got a mail addy to reply to you, but pink eyelash!!!!?????? LOL!

Audrey is having cosmetic surgery

I forgot to add earlier that Audrey is going to have cosmetic surgery. I bought a Jumbo flyer kit from a fantastic ebayer (who has a shop here selling the most beautiful spinning wheel hooks). She included some dyed kid mohair curls...which I've already sat and teased apart.
Anyway the flyer and bobbins just need some varnish and then they are ready for Audrey to have her boob job!

Ooooops I'm a bit late!

I'm a bit late with this post but here goes.......
Topic of the Week #4: Valentine's Day
I know this isn't knitting related, but I thought I'd ask you to share your favourite Valentine's Day memory, or your current plans for this year. Just to share some love. :)
I'm usually really useless at occasions. I'm aware they are there but never get round to getting a card! Well this year was different, J left me a card before she went to work and I ........wait for it......got her a card, chocs, roses and some yummy massage oil!!! Needless to say she was very surprised and shocked!
You see, J and me tend to have 'spoil' times throughout the year. I'm pretty spontaneous and if I see or think of something I'll do it(energy permitting).
My fondest memory is when I first moved back to M/side. A(he was 11 at the time), Poppy and I turned up at J's place of work and text her to tell her to open the security door. There we were standing there with a single red rose as a surprise for her.

here's the next topic.....
Topic of the Week #5: Anticipation
What kind of Spoilee are you? Are you paranoid that it's not being sent, or lost in the post? Do you want it to arrive quickly? OR Do you enjoy the anticipation? Sitting and pondering when it will arrive... and anxiously waiting for it, close to the deadline?
I just love having parcels coming thro' the post, and I'm more than happy to wait. I find it interesting as to how people interpret my tastes. I have loved all the swap parcels I've received.

Well not much has happened this week apart from having the ok to go down to working 2 days a week at work, but only once they have sorted my pay out to what it should be. This will make my life so much easier and it means I will be able to have a little bit of a social life rather than work dominating my weeks......Donna and Chris watch out as I will be able to come to knitting when it's all sorted!!!!!!!!
I've completed the most recent SoSii clue but no pics as the usb cable is playing up :(
Still got to finish the SSS clue before the next one comes out on Tuesday.
Oh yeh, I managed to do some dyeing for a pressie for my UK swap pal....so no pics there either sorry! And I've started on her parcel buying too! ....I love putting parcels together.
I'd better go and catch up on my SSS.........

My Grandad is 87!

On Sunday my parents, my sister and I went out with Grandad to celebrate his 87th birthday. It was a lovely day. We bought him a digital camera. He loved it!

We all went back to Mum and Dad's afterwards, where Grandad gave me a carrier bag, asking if it could be of use to me....inside was 11oz+ of P+B Patons yarn(fingering weight)...it was my Grandma's(she died a while ago now), I was so touched!!! It's in really good condition with only a little fading...so I think it's destined to become a shawl.

I also managed to persuade Mum to let me finish a cardi that my Grandma had started that after she had died Grandad had given it to her to complete. It's done in a Lee Target 4ply in a grey/blue and all that needs doing is the armholes upwards on both fronts(Grandma had already done the dreaded sleeves). So that won't take me long when I get stuck into it! If you look at the photo you may see that she's done both fronts at the same time to make sure they're both the same length...I think I'll do mine like that in future!

SoSii had stalled a bit, so no progress shots as of yet. I've been spinning some teal shetland and plying it with some greeny bfl for C's very late Xmas pressie. It's now hanging in the kitchen drying and I'm hoping to knit this with it.

I've completed clue 5 on the SSS and it's looking quite pretty I think.

I got my UK swap match on Friday. I've contacted my spoilee and have a few ideas as to her parcel. I've also heard from my spoiler...she sent me a fab Ecard with a goggle eyed sheep!!!

I must go and catch up on the SoSii........

Project Process..UK Swap topic

Q: What is your process when planning a project? Do you shop for yarn and then find a suitable pattern? Do you find your pattern and then go out to buy the yarn? Or are you stash-busting? If your stash is out of control, how did it get that way?

As far as projects are concerned I do a bit of both. Sometimes I find a pattern and then go hunting for yarn but then again I sometimes find yummy yarn and have to search for a pattern for it.
I do stash bust at times eg. if I want to knit some gloves, I'll look in my stash and then at patterns(usually online) and try and match the two.
Altho' it is nice to spin a fibre to knit for a particular project and dye it too!