Crafty goodness

It has now been 2 weeks since I knitted a stitch. It's a bit odd since that it the longest I've gone without knitting for at least 5 years. I'm just so into the patchwork instead. I've now done 94 of 225 flowers, each consisting of 7 hexagons with 1" sides. I am sure I'll get bored any minute and fling it into a dark cupboard for 6 months but at least by the time I come back to it I'll be half way through.

I went to Friday late at the V&A with Nic and Jackie last week. It was really nice just spending a couple of hours crafting with them. This is the photo Nic tweeted during the evening:

The V&A had underestimated the level of interest so kits ran out fairly early but we managed to get some for us and made a variety of weird and wonderful and, in my case, ugly things. I made more out of the paper bag in the end than the contents but Jackie made this amazing dragonfly:

I scored a tea towel for Pooch from their shop:

And also a top hat for me. I've always wanted one, and a cardboard one is easier to store than an actual. I wore it all the way home from the V&A.

It's been a very nice bank holiday weekend. Seen friends, done more patchwork, been out for dinner, plus have started crafty plans with Nic for something a little bit like SkipNorth but with a different angle. We're formulating cunning ideas at the moment so watch this space for more once things are firmed up.

Nom nom nom

Flesh and juice of a lime, spoonful of sugar, slug of bacardi, top up with ginger beer and strain.

Looking forward to Friday Late at the V&A tomorrow with Nickerjac and others. Still haven't got to the Quilts exhibition so hopefully will get a peek at that too.

A terrible quandry

I got my hexagons out when I got home as I've been longing to start sewing them together. BUT...do I sew them randomly, which would give this kind of effect:

OR do I sort them into colour groups and go for a bit of a colour wave, like this...

quandry...quandry...quandry 

Great word that. Help me decide? I've put a poll in the sidebar (on the right).

My mini-me and mini-pooch are progressing well. Here is the current status:

I mistakenly thought the deadline was today but of course it is 26th June. So loads of time to get crafting. The details are here and the finished articles will be in an exhibition at the Science Museum!

I have unexpectedly made contact with a good friend from school who I hadn't heard from in 15 years. I wasn't sure it was him from the photo online and so I rather tentatively emailed. A few emails later and he asked me to send him a photo and it made me realise I don't really have many of myself. I always tend to be the one behind the camera. So I made an effort and this is the best I could do.

Bit rubbish. I am just not photogenic. Meanwhile, despite having bigged up Rigby & Pellar to everyone who looked like they had a minute, I am almost regretting my visit. I wore my favourite bra today - an old friend with polka dots and everything. I Could Not Wait to get home and take it off. It felt so uncomfortable! It's rather a shame as I'll have to ditch it but it did make me wonder - are there any projects for upcycling bra's? I've seen some disgusting bags and purses but that's it. Anyone got any ideas?

Hold the phone - this charity take them and redistribute...

I had to post again...

... because I've been so terribly crafty today.

True to plan I made another little baby bandana top.

Brown. Very brown. I know some people think strong colours look wrong on babies but I rather like them.

The buttons are fakery. They cover poppers, which will be much easier for the parents. So it's really a little shirt.

I also finished all the knitting on Steggie. I did the hood and seamed it and did the spikes for the head and sewed them on.

Isn't it cute? I am really happy with it.

I just need a zip and to sew that in. Then it should be ready by the time they are back!

And then....I had previously threaded the beads, but today was when I cast on, and then I cast off about an hour ago.

It's the free beaded bracelet pattern by Heather and it is rather awesome. No purling, no increasing. Just cast on, knit and cast off. The shaping is from the beads. I would definitely recommend it. The only hardcore bit is the 1.75mm needles which were a bit hard to get used to. Especially as the 'yarn' was cotton so not stretchy. But after the first few rows it got much easier. I sewed on a little popper for the fastening and am wearing it while I type!

So there we go - what a great day! If only every day could be like this but sadly, it's back to work tomorrow. Ah well.

Mini me, naked

I got this link on twitter. It's from the stitch n bitch london group, which has since expanded to sewing and other crafts - surprisingly inclusive and very cool. So I felt the call and used the knit body blank as a starting point. I added some rows to the head and body and then just i-corded the arms and legs. The website advised you to big up your quirks so since my breasticles have featured recently I thought I'd emphasise them. And naturally there had to be some red and white polka dots somewhere.

She's now wearing a dress and will soon have purple trainers and a necklace. I'm also planning one of Pooch! They're accepting international submissions until the 26th so get your skates on and create a mini-you.

Yesterday was pretty crafty. I sewed the sleeves of steggie into place and picked up for the hood so am 95% of the way there. Then I also made this out of a bandana.

Isn't it cute? £1 for the bandana, 80p for 2m of bias binding, random button, and you're done. I will draw a template up if I have a min. Then of course you have to add your tag.

Bernard is what Pooch calls me. Only makes sense if you know my maiden name though. I'm tempted to keep it but it's for my Physio. The neck is rather wide too so I have plans for changes to a second one which I hope to get done today.

#leadersdebate

It's not often I blog about politics, but the first televised leaders debate in UK history warrants a certain amount of comment. For me it was especially interesting as it was my first experience of following tags on twitter too. I tweet. I don't do it much, and I'm not very interesting, but I have been using it more and more to follow what others are up to. Tweeters were mainly taking the piss, but then there's nothing wrong with that and there were some extremely funny ones (none of these are mine):

• David Cameron looks like a life size porcelain memorial doll of himself, from The News of the World magazine.
• I tried to flip my house. Put my back out.
• Shag, Marry, Kill? Who would you choose??
• Picture of david cameron's notes.
• Gordon Brown's ears are enormous, you could easily beat a Rhino to death with them
• I went to [insert town] & spoke to [insert minority group] & s/he said [insert horrific story]? 

Perhaps even more amazing, for a while there the leaders debate out tweeted Justin Bieber for most frequently mentioned. The rest of the world must have wondered what on earth was going on.

Pleh. But then it did make me wonder whether to vote lib dem afterall. Because my area was more than 50% labour last time and the MP is a minister (Joan something or something like that) I didn;t think there was any point voting anything else. But Cleggy was quite impressive, if only because he could afford to relax more than the other two because he's such an outsider. The second one (on Sky - hello? not all of us have Sky. Who's idea was that?) will show his real chutzpah. He'll be under a lot of pressure to do that well again.

Enough politics - let's talk about underwear. My quest to find out what size my gazungas actually are continues. I took the bull by the horns and made an appointment at Rigby & Pellar.

They are the ones who support the queen's jewels so I figure if they are good enough for her, they'll do for me. And they are really good. They fit you by sight, no tape measures anywhere. Then they go and get endless bras until you feel like a princess and don;t even care about the megabucks on the price tags. While I was being fitted the woman in the next cubicle was being fitted with a mastectomy bra. The assistant was so good with her and she went from uptight to giggling in about 10 mins. As she was leaving the assistant gave her a card with her name on and told her to ask for her whenever she came back and she would make sure she only got shown the sexiest designs so she could always feel fabulous. It sounds like it could have been fake and sickly-sweet but that assistant, as well as mine, was awesome.

Just don't ask me how much I spent.

I've had the last two days off work - solely in order to tidy the flat. I freely admit the mess had got a bit too much. It wasn't dirty - there were just piles EVERYWHERE. And now there are none. Some drawers are a little 'bulgy' but the floor is free and empty, and having put so much into making it that way there is a definite incentive to keep it like that. I finished at lunchtime today and so for a little treat got the bus to Lewisham for a stop at Rolls and Rems. I love that place. For less than a tenner you get a pile of fabric, trimmings, and if you're lucky, a jam doughnut from Greggs. Not to be eaten when windy, as we all know.

Can't you imagine that strawberry print with the edges cut with pinking shears covering jam jars? Not that I make jam of course. I have patchwork on my mind. And so when I got home and found I needed some more hexagon paper pieces I was about to print some on normal paper when I saw a pile of old statements waiting to be shredded. Cutting them into hexagons is kind of like shredding. I used this site to create a pdf and off I went.

Steg-a-rific

I am really enjoying the Steegie hoody. It's going so fast compared to the 4-ply I've been working with recently. The arms are knit upside down to the way you'd normally do them when knitting flat, so you add the zigzags at each end of the top of the arm so when you sew the seam you've got the ridges along the top of the arms in two colours, each off set by half a zig.

I had the red from the 2009 SkipNorth and picked up the blue and green from this year's. Perfecto.

I went to visit the recipient and his wonderful parents yesterday. He's had a growth spurt so fingers crossed I've made it big enough. Nic (for it was she) has put her back out again and god knows I can sympathise with that. She'd still managed to get me a strawberry as a present though. How awesome is this?

It's a strawberry (duh) but it's also one of those reusable shopping bags which you can unfold at a moment's notice. On the way back home I popped into a charity shop and saw this book. It is full of vintage gems, such as this.

A tray holder. For when you're not sure where to keep your trays. Delightful. Then this caught my eye and I knew I'd have to buy the book.

I've always wondered how to get that effect on fabric and now I know.

Bored at Work

So, more Flickr time.

1. Cat Bag - Saco do Gato, 2. 52, 3. KITTY SPIES A BUTTERFLY - Hand embroidered redwork, 4. AB 7140, 5. 39 squares:Eleven and Twelve, 6. square30, 7. Growth Challenge Pouch, 8. newspaper bangle. 2, 9. embellished alice bands, 10. Three Upturned Fabric Bowls, 11. 'Frozen Bloom' Magenta floral leather cuff, 12. 39 Squares:Seventeen and Eighteen, 13. snowdrop full, 14. Big Kanzashi Flower, 15. NI 018 c

SP15 Questionnaire

What is/are your favorite yarn/s to knit with?

Wool or cotton. I’m not a label snob and I don’t mind nice acrylic for things like baby clothes. I do prefer all yarn to be machine washable.

What fibers do you absolutely not like?

Scratchy acrylic, rough wool.

What do you use to store your needles/hooks in?

I have a needle roll and a circular holder.

How long have you been knitting & how did you learn? Would you consider your skill level to be beginner, intermediate or advanced?

 I have been knitting for aeons and am advanced. I have been crocheting for about 8 years but only use it for things like blankets.

Do you have an Amazon or other online wish list?

I’m working on it.

What’s your favorite scent?

Vanilla, chocolate, strawberry – I’m not crazy about scents though.

Do you have a sweet tooth? Favorite candy?

I *love* sweets! I am mildly allergic to nuts (fine with ‘may contain nuts’ but not things with actual nuts in). My favourite chocolate bar is an Australian one called Cherry Ripe. Soooooo good. Like a cherry coconut bar. I love all chocolate apart from dark/high cocoa.

What other crafts or Do-It-Yourself things do you like to do?

I sew quite a bit. Clothes and patchwork, so any fabric remnants more than 3 inches square will always be used! I also embroider, lino print, doodle etc.

Do you spin? Dye?

I can spin but don’t anymore. I do dye with acid dyes or koolaid, but not often.

What kind of music do you like? Can your computer/stereo play MP3s? (if your buddy wants to make you a CD)

I like hip hop. I can play mp3’s.

What’s your favorite color(s)? Any colors you just can’t stand?

I like red and dark purple/aubergine. I can’t wear yellow or pastels. Yellow is ok for socks though!

What is your family situation?

I am married, no kids.

Do you have any pets? Are you allergic to any pets?

I don’t have pets but adore cats. DH is allergic though.

Do you wear scarves, hats, mittens or ponchos?

All except ponchos. Yuk.

What is/are your favorite item/s to knit? 

I always have a pair of socks on the go. I like to mix it up. So I’ll usually have a few projects on the go – one mindless, one complicated (colourwork or something like that) plus a pair of socks.

What is on your needles right now?

A pair of socks, Steggie for my friend’s little boy, a fairisle cardigan for my mum which will be steeked and a baby cardie for my physio’s first child.

Do you read knitting books? What kind of books i.e. technique, pattern, fiction?

I read loads of books. Mainly murder mysteries! I have a large collection of knitting books and I love the Maggie Sefton series.

Do you like to receive handmade gifts?

Definitely. Once I got a pair of handknit socks in a swap and I cherish them. 

Do you prefer straight or circular needles? Bamboo, aluminum, plastic?

I am a Denise addict, but I also use addi for the smaller sizes.

Do you own a yarn winder and/or swift?

I own both.

How old is your oldest UFO?

Years and years and years.

What is your favorite holiday? What winter holiday do you observe?

Easter – because of the chocolate! I observe Christmas but I am not religious.

Is there anything that you collect?

Buttons. I love unusual ones. Old is best but new is pretty good too!

Any books, yarns, needles or patterns out there you are dying to get your hands on?

I'm trying to get a wishlist online. I'll add them there soon. 

What knitting magazine subscriptions do you have?

I have gone off all of them but I do generally get Interweave.

Are there any new techniques you’d like to learn?

I have tried pretty much everything now.

Are you a sock knitter? What are your foot measurements?

Definitely. I am a size 7 in the UK, which is roughly 40 in euro sizes and 9.5 in the US.

When is your birthday?

4 July – seriously. I’ll be 32!

Are you on Ravelry? If so, what’s your ID?

I am littlelixie. I adore ravelry.

Are you on KnitPicks Knitting Community? What’s your username?

No.

Can you tell I'm proud of this?

I made the pattern up, but based it on the a-line skirt pattern from the book "Sew What! Skirts". Brilliant book. 

I especially love the buttons on the side....

Happy Easter!

Or anything else you happen to be celebrating at the moment. I love Easter. It's the chocolate. At no other holiday is there such a good reason for filling yourself with so much lovely chocolate. It's started well as my MIL has sent me this. So cute!

I'm trying to decide what to keep in it afterwards. Or rather, now. Since the contents....

....sadly didn't make it through the night. Nom nom nom.

It's been an odd week. Frazzling and yet with many good points too. All the good points have been non-work related while that part of life has provided all the frazzle. I've never been so glad to have a 4-day break. The only good thing about work is playing dress up. This was my take on Grotbags.

And then this was Morticia Adamms - my first outing with an Obi belt, and I liked it.

Lastly, this was Jessica Rabbit.

I was wearing these when I got into a discussion with my boss about when to send a letter. I took them off just before she uttered the memorable words "Just do what I tell you to." It's the second time she's said that to me. Unbelievable. I am sure she has contributed to my increase in grey hair. Maybe. Not really. But it has definitely increased.

I half like it, and I do look forward to when I'll look all distinguished with it like my muvver, but for now I am long overdue for a dye job.

I have been making an apron dress over the last couple of days - just a few hours at a time so my back doesn't play up. It's looking pretty fab if I say so myself but no photos til I've finished. For now, I've just got some patchwork to show.

They're so cheerful! Looking forward to sewing them all together and seeing what they look like all as one.

Lastly, the new Twist is up and contains lots of really lovely things. One of the articles caught my eye - a knitted alphabet but with a historical and artistic element. Very interesting. More here.

WWPD?

When I was serving time on the inside, one of the things they stressed was that it was perfectly normal to be unhappy. Most people were unhappy for more or less of their lives. The aim therefore was to be healthily unhappy rather than unhealthily depressed. Which makes sense in a very depressing way. Having recently had a bit of a blow to the old mental confidence, I find myself back in familiar territory – trying to work out whether I am healthily or unhealthily unhappy. In these situations I, like many others, turn to religion. I have talked about my beliefs before and this is where Pastafarianism comes in very handy.

A Christian, when asking themselves this kind of question, might say “What would Jesus do?”. Jesus could be fairly moody (see money sellers in the temple) plus in many ways exhibited symptoms of schizophrenia (hearing voices), so in many ways it's hard to use him as a reality yardstick. This is where Pastafarianism wins hands down. Because, as every FSM devotee will be able to tell you, at moments like this you ask yourself one simple question:

So simple. Which is how I ended up looting these.

And now everything is fine. Sorted.

Just for good measure, here are some inspirations for the week, all from Flickr.

1. Kit 50 Botões, 2. knitting, 3. The Cheshire Cat - an ornament in beads and wire, 4. "Knit" & "Purl" Ambigram Chart, 5. I heart mustache bag detail, 6. Raiffe , 7. Lova Revolutionary Brooches Clouds Sunshines Rainbows Eco Felt & Hand Embroidery, 8. Um mimo!!!, 9. MonsterSocks
All so beautiful. Hopefully my own patchwork will feature on someone else's inspirations one day. Not at the moment though!

The Pleasures and Sorrows of Work

I've just started reading Alain de Botton's latest book (The Pleasures and Sorrows of Work) in paperback. I'm only about 60 pages in but I'm already really enjoying it. I went to a talk by him about his architecture book at the V&A a few years ago and so as I read it I get a real sense of his voice saying the words. I know a lot of intellectuals dismiss his books as pop psychology but I find them so well written and so approachable, and I suppose that's all that really matters since I'm not making anyone else read it.

Once again it prompts me to think about my job, especially as my appraisal in on Monday and I suspect I'm going to get a talking to about positive mental attitude. My boss asked me to draft some stuff for it and when I sent it to her she sent it back to me telling me to make it more positive. She suggested I do this by talking about all the exciting things I'd like to do. I pointed out that there was no scope for doing any of them because there are no resources, and she said to put that in too. So there's me motivated.

To cheer myself up I blinged my keyboard. Metallic Markers. Awesome.

Pooch was a little concerned since the keyboard is company property, but then they're water soluble. And keyboards react really well to water - so no problem!

No knitting to report this week since I have been mainly patchworking. The polka dot quilt is progressing still, and I've also started some hand sewing using 1" hexagons. It's a very satisfying way to use up small bits of fabric and so I've started a swap on swap-bot for remnants. One for April and one for June. Anyone can join so take a look if you're interested. I've also been finally putting pictures up.

Ideally I'd have them in a rough band all the way round the room, but Pooch seems to think that is enough for now. Rotter. But then, he is known for being grumpy. In fact...

Yay, iPhone. That's from a free app called "Framed Lite". Awesome.

I heart iPhone

I got my iPhone 2 wednesdays ago. I totally love it. Because of SkipNorth and being so hectic at work I've only just got a cover for it and, naturally, I wanted it to be polka dot. It was proving pretty hard to find a suitable one and so it occurred to me to let loose with the shoe paints on a plain one. So I found a cheap leatherish white one and....

Step 1: Take some address labels and hole punch them. Then spend ages trying to get the buggers off the backing sheet and place them strategically on your plain phone cover. Alternatively find some circular stickers the right size and use those.

Step 2: Coat with 3 coats of lumiere jacquard paint in metallic red.
Step 3: Peel off the stickers, and discover a number of them have let paint in at the edges.
Step 4: Use cotton buds to remove excess paint up to a point.
Step 5: Seal with two coats of flexible varnish.

Step 6: When dry, add iPhone.

Love. Love. Love.

I am really enjoying discovering the many apps. I've only paid for one so far, which is called Toodleoo and is an amazingly useful to do list. I've got KnitCounterLite which is basically a row counter but also prompts you on increases and decreases, a camera one that lets you upload straight to ravelry, a ravelry hotlink, a knitmap hotlink (which tells me of any knit shops within 1, 2, 3, etc miles of my current location - it works out exactly where I am itself), and others that tell me how the tubes are running, tracks messages on twitter and link to my email. Awesome. Pooch is still very annoyed and thinks me disloyal, but as I said to him, as soon as he trains to be a chartered landscape architect, I'll buy a Sony phone.

I've spent a fair bit of time in the last few days finishing my lecture for my old school which I'll be giving on monday morning. I have managed a bit of knitting though, and also made a new strap for my watch, since the old one, which was plaited wire, was catching on my connie's henley cardigan - which is definitely not to be tolerated.

Purty.