tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-74642308749044375242024-03-20T04:00:59.958+00:00Amber Purls (and Knits too)Amberpearlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08090652443054410707noreply@blogger.comBlogger39125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7464230874904437524.post-70876345802334076052010-09-26T21:42:00.004+01:002010-09-26T21:53:59.205+01:00Traveling Light<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9LdBJwjw1SELNsyNZq9jrHYjsoBYuCy_P_mpQTUP-CK_OsgkNw9kXxj6aFUSYLXVJNXvV52AELdbkulRRzllqmoObw3yPcafHDX75k5gbAyelnWSDCKiCTNBdxYjTHByh_L7kt8zWe_k/s1600/Dwarrodelf+yarn.JPG"><br /></a><br />Quick post mainly to give you a shot of my Traveling Sweater. This is <span style="font-weight: bold;">THE</span> BMFA Traveling Sweater, I'm using the yarn in the pattern - Woobu. My colour choice - Chestnutty<br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEDX4I1o3taHX8HrltuIctpL6BS8J-DPw4XoFgRWgcg48QaG4veK5V-Peu0ekKAwetQ8yeeXpCTM28imXFGk5-QM-wu9GpdnjIPhKPwnRnft6jGEJ0bo0564cJUEPnBDndg_5ojkzWNis/s1600/IMG_0822.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEDX4I1o3taHX8HrltuIctpL6BS8J-DPw4XoFgRWgcg48QaG4veK5V-Peu0ekKAwetQ8yeeXpCTM28imXFGk5-QM-wu9GpdnjIPhKPwnRnft6jGEJ0bo0564cJUEPnBDndg_5ojkzWNis/s320/IMG_0822.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5521326431606229922" border="0" /></a><br />I started this on Tuesday night past. This is the frist wedge of which there are 8 in total of this crescent shaped part. Mind you each wedge consists of 4 repeated smaller wedges. It is good mindless TV knitting.<br /><br />I have also cast on Susuan Pandorf's Dwarrodelf, part of her FOTR (Fellowship of the ring) collection. I am using Fyberspates sparkle sock in plum<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9LdBJwjw1SELNsyNZq9jrHYjsoBYuCy_P_mpQTUP-CK_OsgkNw9kXxj6aFUSYLXVJNXvV52AELdbkulRRzllqmoObw3yPcafHDX75k5gbAyelnWSDCKiCTNBdxYjTHByh_L7kt8zWe_k/s1600/Dwarrodelf+yarn.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9LdBJwjw1SELNsyNZq9jrHYjsoBYuCy_P_mpQTUP-CK_OsgkNw9kXxj6aFUSYLXVJNXvV52AELdbkulRRzllqmoObw3yPcafHDX75k5gbAyelnWSDCKiCTNBdxYjTHByh_L7kt8zWe_k/s320/Dwarrodelf+yarn.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5521327951535063506" border="0" /></a><br />This one is for my SIL.Amberpearlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08090652443054410707noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7464230874904437524.post-17771888906990254552010-09-23T18:55:00.004+01:002010-09-23T19:09:01.527+01:00Halfway Up The Stairs<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh6WA221sK_Vln1biWP5yEYu35gsBh6PLW9XdhaAYM0fRjG2EC-1MD_b4XFkQnX8ONh1xScBxJf6flPqIzqfX5Tv2PDJZrEIIKf43PiMG94Us6epZSRJ3ZT0kGFoA9Xn45p4GYLRxztj0/s1600/IMG_0820.JPG"><br /></a><br />For some strange reason (and I know not what goes through a cat brain) the past few evenings Pepper has retired to the curve in the stairs and proceeded to miaow at me from there. I haven't figured out whether she thinks it is time for bed or just attention but it does make for a cute photo.<br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9mu_EWeX9iN_vOhPTZyxI3O3w1n6yXYXKT95uUZy_koyzuOfSCa9C-s1bxGQ9Dq7AKfe9P36ulBfU1DljdOYRws6WhZ6h5PoKF9YVGnUIZCoU_HoMqrpFIPPK9ENCRBF_ZuyH3WjTato/s1600/IMG_0816.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9mu_EWeX9iN_vOhPTZyxI3O3w1n6yXYXKT95uUZy_koyzuOfSCa9C-s1bxGQ9Dq7AKfe9P36ulBfU1DljdOYRws6WhZ6h5PoKF9YVGnUIZCoU_HoMqrpFIPPK9ENCRBF_ZuyH3WjTato/s320/IMG_0816.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5520169731663250482" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br />On the knitting side of things I've finished my second Les Abeilles. Just have the tails to darn in then block it. I'll get it blocked out over the weekend but here is the pre-blocking shot. Lovely colours in this<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh6WA221sK_Vln1biWP5yEYu35gsBh6PLW9XdhaAYM0fRjG2EC-1MD_b4XFkQnX8ONh1xScBxJf6flPqIzqfX5Tv2PDJZrEIIKf43PiMG94Us6epZSRJ3ZT0kGFoA9Xn45p4GYLRxztj0/s1600/IMG_0820.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh6WA221sK_Vln1biWP5yEYu35gsBh6PLW9XdhaAYM0fRjG2EC-1MD_b4XFkQnX8ONh1xScBxJf6flPqIzqfX5Tv2PDJZrEIIKf43PiMG94Us6epZSRJ3ZT0kGFoA9Xn45p4GYLRxztj0/s320/IMG_0820.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5520171252326085090" border="0" /></a><br />I have another of these to do for my other niece but as the colours are similar I'm giving myself a rest from this shawl and have cast on for the BMFA travelling sweater in Woobu colour Chestnutty. No photos yet as it is just started but I'll sort that out soon. It is easy, mindless knitting and the yarn is lovely to work with.Amberpearlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08090652443054410707noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7464230874904437524.post-43806140866907467442010-09-03T16:55:00.003+01:002010-09-03T17:13:02.930+01:00BuzzzzzzinAt long last some knitting to blog about. Not that there hasn't been plenty of knitting going on it is just that between dealing with all the sorting and moving there has been no photography going on. So over the past few weeks the camera has made it out and photos have been taken.<br /><br />The Buzzzz is all about the 1st project I cast on and completed in my new house. This is Anne Hanson's <a href="http://www.knitspot.com/knitting_pattern/les-abeilles-p-372.html">Les Abeilles</a>. It has taken me less than 2 weeks, I used yarn from stash - Posh Yarns Eva in colour Peach Melba. I knit the petite size and used just over 2 skeins. You can see the beauty shot below on a sunny afternoon in my new back garden. Well actually looking from the garden back to the house.<br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgntG6VQg7E5C0OzVc73M88061EtwJSruElfGMEzKvOI2sXXxVbsoDOn_6lO5iedVwmdoWpKYyJcsa4gZd62PJJfjPTgUIxfaDhFIRBl0ihHiEmqY4MePVKNOTJc8Bf8rLMjyqYPs2e1rk/s1600/IMG_0805.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgntG6VQg7E5C0OzVc73M88061EtwJSruElfGMEzKvOI2sXXxVbsoDOn_6lO5iedVwmdoWpKYyJcsa4gZd62PJJfjPTgUIxfaDhFIRBl0ihHiEmqY4MePVKNOTJc8Bf8rLMjyqYPs2e1rk/s320/IMG_0805.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5512716926808451170" border="0" /></a><br /><br />I am hoping my older sister likes this colour as I'd like to gift it to her. I have already cast on my second of these shawls, this one is intended for my niece Sarah, again using Posh Yarn, this time Miranda 4ply in colour Daddy's Home<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnABe7VdX2EJliE35IAAmd5Q-0g2-Nkkg8he_SwXjAnhRAc_xGXNoMh032KW_erMiLJu0JVNpTX-yytGv1sNdhL4hjVPQLDGLaEAjdoXphCNucktLn1yzNYCx4KxYvCmKNqlYOXfdmj7g/s1600/IMG_0798.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnABe7VdX2EJliE35IAAmd5Q-0g2-Nkkg8he_SwXjAnhRAc_xGXNoMh032KW_erMiLJu0JVNpTX-yytGv1sNdhL4hjVPQLDGLaEAjdoXphCNucktLn1yzNYCx4KxYvCmKNqlYOXfdmj7g/s320/IMG_0798.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5512719927852052322" border="0" /></a><br />I'm well into the first pattern repeat and it is zooming along. For more deatils on these 2 projects you can find me as <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/projects/amberpearl">Amberpearl</a> on RavelryAmberpearlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08090652443054410707noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7464230874904437524.post-27354231573864770222010-08-21T18:02:00.002+01:002010-08-21T18:46:18.537+01:00A New StartYesterday (20th August) was the 1st Anniversary of my DH's death. I thought it would be a bad day but not so as it turned out. With the date looming a while back I decided to get my act into gear and get on with moving house. I have got a lot done to the house before moving in but all the work I had planned to get done before moving in was finished mid July and I relaised I was dithering. I so did not want to be in the old house come 20th August. So I made a decision and got myself moved in the space of 2 weeks. It was very busy as there was a lot to do to make it happen but I concentrated on getting my furniture moved and the essentials. Most of my kitchen stuff and clothes were already moved as I had been bringing things over in dribs and drabs over the intervening months.<br /><br />I had good friends who helped me out the day before and day of the move, along with the removal men of course, who were great. I moved in on 12th August and am feeling reasonably settled. Most of the boxes I brought with me are emptied but there is still a lot of stuff at the old house to sort and more will come here, but only what I want. I don't intend to end up as cluttered as I was before. Of course all my yarn moved several weeks before I moved so that was a sign it was going to happen.<br /><br />My 14 year old cat Pepper has been great and is fairly well settled now. She has explored all her new territory, including the garden. I was worried she would not take the move well but she has familiar scents around her and of course the food lady is still here - what more could a cat ask for.<br /><br />My SIL and her husband are over for a week, staying with her mother, and the 2 of them and my BF came to dinner on Thursday night. They have brought their car over from England to take some things of Shane's back with them. We have arranged to go to the old house on Monday and they will load their car up. Apart from that I will have a full house tomorrow, my BF, her husband, Shane's BF and his wife along with SIL, her husband and my MIL are all coming for a mid afternoon meal. I have just made a huge pot of Bolognese sauce so it will only need heated, spaghetti cooked, some garlic bread warmed and a salad tossed - easy peasy - for 8 people. I haven't entertained like this in a very long time.<br /><br />And the knitting? Yes there has been some. Although I have plenty WIPs I decided I would like to start something new in my new house, something simple, easy knitting. So I cast on <a href="http://www.knitspot.com/knitting_pattern/les-abeilles-p-372.html?zenid=anar6v5avrhjfnj7rd1qqlcjg6">Les Abeilles</a> in some Posh Eva from stash. No photos taken yet. When SIL has gone back next week I'm going to get the camera out and get some photos of WIPs etc. and I fully intend to be back here more regularly now.<br /><br />Off to get my evening meal sorted, then sit down with Les Abeilles for a bit of R&R. Hope all of you are keeping well out there in blogland. Back soonAmberpearlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08090652443054410707noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7464230874904437524.post-45697795225377760172010-06-07T17:54:00.004+01:002010-06-07T18:17:14.451+01:00A Toast<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL_oS8IVcNow5O0TfHPGDcnZPmd4cc4pmwUso1VOP4-iDSPj-39T-Mkw8_v2VwSTVsX0hi5IpmzkebXnibJCmqimXDgJCN1tGZ4Nu1BglTgcB1GVFsJhvfvh9PbsQLlcq12TFlgvi5T-g/s1600/Canon1+049.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5480080759967235634" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL_oS8IVcNow5O0TfHPGDcnZPmd4cc4pmwUso1VOP4-iDSPj-39T-Mkw8_v2VwSTVsX0hi5IpmzkebXnibJCmqimXDgJCN1tGZ4Nu1BglTgcB1GVFsJhvfvh9PbsQLlcq12TFlgvi5T-g/s320/Canon1+049.JPG" /></a> To my love (he's on the left)<br /><br /><div>It has been a long time. I looked at my last entry and realised how long ago I put anything here. I thought I was ready to put myself out there again, but it seems I wasn't. I don't think I'm ready yet but I couldn't let today go without something, a memory. </div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Today was my DHs birthday and it is hard not to miss him a lot today. Indeed for the last week or so this day has been much on my mind. What would I feel like and how to get through it. I'm remembering other birthdays and how we celebrated them, although he kept trying to forget them as the years went on we always did something. </div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Tonight I will have a good stiff scotch going to bed to help me sleep and to send him a birthday toast. So if any of you out there are reading this raise your glasses to your loved ones past and present. </div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div>Amberpearlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08090652443054410707noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7464230874904437524.post-49196812521238079162010-01-17T18:26:00.004+00:002010-01-17T18:52:58.012+00:00As The Road Goes Ever On tooI'm participating in the <a href="http://afewstitchesshort.blogspot.com/2010/01/evenstar-mystery-shawl.html">Evenstar Mystery Shawl</a> KAL. This is the first in a series of LOTR patterns being designed by <a href="http://afewstitchesshort.blogspot.com/">A Few Stitches Shor</a>t. I bought some beautiful silk laceweight in December from <a href="http://hedgehogfibres.etsy.com/">Hedgehog Fibres</a> in a colour called Copper Penny, I must be psychic. I had no plans for this when I bought it and less than a month later the perfect project came along.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2YVgZXu4A9CAEBz5kNlVxLzVjfhUuvMH3OFbYURTlml34VYzFnukLMYHvdwxz6J8pmkwcIT8TXx__id1HvluFaEksHtRt9KI9VNZOmPsSW2ZKc2BBmt8QTtAwDIqkLqa1Z49KtfLfcl4/s1600-h/Copper+Penny.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2YVgZXu4A9CAEBz5kNlVxLzVjfhUuvMH3OFbYURTlml34VYzFnukLMYHvdwxz6J8pmkwcIT8TXx__id1HvluFaEksHtRt9KI9VNZOmPsSW2ZKc2BBmt8QTtAwDIqkLqa1Z49KtfLfcl4/s320/Copper+Penny.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5427780438308130866" border="0" /></a>I know the Evenstar is silver but I'm more a gold/copper person so this seemed just perfect to me. The photo doesn't do it justice, I was all set to photograph it in a nice sunny interlude when the phone rang and I eneded up have a long chat with a friend. By the time I got back to it the afternoon had turned dull and dark. This was taken sitting on my dining room windowsill. There are hints of silver and that lovely pinky copper along with gold all shot through it. I only hope my kniiting of the shawl will do both the pattern and the yarn justice.<br /><br />I heading off to Kitchner the toe of my second Tesserae sock for a friend. I'll take photos in daylight tomorrow and post them sometime soon. I'll get back to working on some WIPs, not starting anything new with the imminent release of the Evenstar pattern.<br /><br />I frogged a silk laceweight shrug, the yarn was just not meant for the pattern, beautiful yarn, beautiful pattern just not meant to be together. I also have it in mind to frog at least one hibernating WIP, but more on that another time.<br /><br />All things being well I'll be moving house in the spring. I had my offer accepted, now just have to go through all the hoops to get the process completed.Amberpearlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08090652443054410707noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7464230874904437524.post-63130126959538259942010-01-16T15:05:00.002+00:002010-01-16T15:15:26.602+00:00Life goes ever onAnd so it does, even in the face of tragedy, both personal and public. My own personal tragedy is still with me but the recent tragedy in Haiti cannot be visualised by those of us who haven't ever seen events on smaller scales.<br /><br />That doesn't stop us feeling helpless, but we aren't. We can at least donate, this will help all those who can actively help these people. I've put up a button over there on the right, see it, linking to the Yarn Harlots page which will tell you how to donate. MSF is worthwhile so please give.<br /><br />Also have a look at <a href="http://afewstitchesshort.blogspot.com/2010/01/philanthropy.html">A Few Stitches Short</a> recent post, if you don't want to just donate then make buying a pattern countAmberpearlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08090652443054410707noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7464230874904437524.post-42660908345336318682009-12-17T17:07:00.005+00:002009-12-17T18:16:16.997+00:00Back Again<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJTDe5HwqGWn2M-pIcn1UZt64vjE5RlbMCv8wS-9GHjjp_IKEWTWJV8fI77A_KbfCoJhB9NKgaasMgfg4M7gbT4h7AK5AqZyB29FNFym_R5peuiJgncSsgJSg69BDwbIsWGIJ3jKNyIB8/s1600-h/IMG_0496.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 335px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5416264871130381314" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJTDe5HwqGWn2M-pIcn1UZt64vjE5RlbMCv8wS-9GHjjp_IKEWTWJV8fI77A_KbfCoJhB9NKgaasMgfg4M7gbT4h7AK5AqZyB29FNFym_R5peuiJgncSsgJSg69BDwbIsWGIJ3jKNyIB8/s320/IMG_0496.JPG" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtp9i0sg_4P4wt14aCIm9aL-uzfBIiBFxjKiwaCE5wBOJoXek1Gw4ffgnY84GgRO3Ahd8UgSuAFuUHUmrYTZQHqwumsLVWOjxVbjywrXGwzUdfYlfV4MtS9y0Xlv1IAemf4rvcRKLudOA/s1600-h/IMG_0496.JPG"></a>On the left above my DH June 1952 to August 2009. Sorely missed, there is a hole in my heart that will never heal. The suddenness of his death was such a huge shock to all, we are still trying to make some sense of it.</div><div> </div><div> </div><div>I tried moving this photo but blogger is not cooperating today so I'll let it stay where it is.<br /><br /></div><div>I've been gone a long time, I just haven't been able to write anything without getting emotional. However I decided it was time to get back in the saddle as they say. I have been getting on with my life and I have good days and bad days. I have been sorting and clearing, bags of stuff to charity and boxes of books to charity book shops too. Most of the stuff so far has been my own, I haven't as yet boxed up DH's clothes, in some ways it is comforting to still have them around. </div><div><br /> </div><div>I now have a brand new car, picked it up from the dealers last Friday, and both of the other cars are now gone. It was a difficult process, letting his car go, like finally saying he was gone. </div><div><br /> </div><div>I'm looking at houses and have seen one that I am tempted to put an offer on, but it feels like a very big step.</div><div><br /> </div><div>Knitting has been continuing all the time and I will have a lot to update you all about on that front in the not too distant future but for now I have no photos to share. I have finished 2 sweaters recently - well all but the sewing up. Have finished a pair of socks, unfortunately I am going to have to frog the first of them totally as it is a disaster. I also have a single sock done using one of the zuberballs (probably spelt that all wrong). Have also started another sweater that has been on my project list - this one is in Noro Silk Garden. No photos of any of these so I will try to take a day, probably after Christmas, and do a lot of snapping then try to feed them in here over a period of time. </div><div><br />I have been teaching my cleaner to knit socks and she loves it. Taken to it like the proverbial duck to water. She is now accumulating her own stash of sock yarn, she is addicted. We try to share a bit of knitting and a coffee at the end of her work. I'm also teaching her lots of other techniques, she has no one else to teach her, so last week I taught her how to cable and yesterday she used my swift and ball winder to wind 3 skeins I gave her for a shawl.</div><div> </div><div> </div><div>My entries here will probably be intermittent yet for a while as I am busy trying to get things sorted still. SIL and her husband are coming over for 5 days from 28th so I am trying really hard to achieve a number of things before they arrive. Of course the days being so short seems to make the amount of work achieved each day very little. </div><div><br />Signing off for now. Keep safe, take joy in your loved ones, never forget how fragile life can be. </div><div> </div><div><br /> </div><div></div><div><br /><br /></div><div><br /></div><div></div><div><br /></div><div></div><div><br /><br /></div><div></div><div><br /><br /></div><div></div>Amberpearlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08090652443054410707noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7464230874904437524.post-91795116868449045472009-09-05T16:59:00.002+01:002009-09-05T17:10:52.710+01:00Nothing Can ExpressMy sense of loss...............<br /><br />On 20th August my life changed forever. My Dear Husband of 30 years suffered a massive and totally unexpected heart attack and was just gone. I've been keeping going, getting through things, and there are are lot of things to get through... settling all the finances and then will come sorting the house.<br /><br />I may not be blogging for a while but I am following all of you out there, reading your blogs and keeping up to date. I'm still knitting as I need that to keep me going. I have good friends and family 'keeping an eye' on me as it were but nothing can replace the constant companionship and love we had. I will always miss him.Amberpearlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08090652443054410707noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7464230874904437524.post-22990127170215611082009-08-09T23:38:00.004+01:002009-08-10T00:36:59.486+01:00Malabrigo - soft, softer, softestI love Malabrigo yarn. It must be one of the softest yarns I have ever snuggled up to. I have this sweater in my basket of 'resting' WIPs, it's been resting for about 2 years and I had an urge to go back to it as a rest from the shawl. The back was finished and the front was well underway. So I've been working on it again this past week or so and have finished the front. It is of course in Malabrigo, colour Loro Barenquero. You can see the change in the colour striation when the back narrows in at the armholes.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix9tqG-Tr2PEpmoYbNwimtbXeEJO8PZfVjevSJPBy3g6iaNbsa3HNlkXYzj49EOtEtZppR-NDv3SlY3u4RXx0ZgP2eLINV2S9CPpiP39G8hOA0tRzJ_6BE-Xy1h6_7zMCucCnBo2zzJBU/s1600-h/Malabrigo+sweater+back.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix9tqG-Tr2PEpmoYbNwimtbXeEJO8PZfVjevSJPBy3g6iaNbsa3HNlkXYzj49EOtEtZppR-NDv3SlY3u4RXx0ZgP2eLINV2S9CPpiP39G8hOA0tRzJ_6BE-Xy1h6_7zMCucCnBo2zzJBU/s320/Malabrigo+sweater+back.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368098965219792994" border="0" /></a><br />The front has a large central cable, not too easy to see due to the colour. The cable then splits up the neck edges. So where the central cable was 16 stitches, each of the neckline cables is 8 stitches.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG6uRIN1UiZIvU2Hh_0vK4JFy3RQvr73vrJBLyIi7WTGn8wxxZKa1m9i8Mgd50ETaOHqaiNjN1DX8rli49C0cdn_Ooy1tpAN2VqW_z_tKHzUJOA-LwMEzLKLHtaVTHd4SgNwL6Fdno_5E/s1600-h/Malabrigo+sweater+front.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG6uRIN1UiZIvU2Hh_0vK4JFy3RQvr73vrJBLyIi7WTGn8wxxZKa1m9i8Mgd50ETaOHqaiNjN1DX8rli49C0cdn_Ooy1tpAN2VqW_z_tKHzUJOA-LwMEzLKLHtaVTHd4SgNwL6Fdno_5E/s320/Malabrigo+sweater+front.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368098969633996770" border="0" /></a><br />The finished neckline is actually a wrapover which is knit as a separate rectangle and then sewn in. It is a Lana Grossa pattern which I have had to size up, their patterns are typically only sized for anorexic runway models.<br /><br />I own a bought sweater with this same neckline, which I love, so when I came across this pattern I had to knit it for myself. Of course it hadto be done in something so cozy and soft, what better than Malabrigo.<br /><br />Now for a quick update on other things. First my car passed it's MOT, clear for another year. Just over a week ago we had a thunderstorm in the area and we had a lightening strike which blew out our phone master socket and all the equipment connected into it, which included 2 brand new DECT phones and the modem in our SKY+ box. (Actually it affected more than us and the engineers have been out replacing lines which were melted) We're still watching TV OK but without the modem the box can't dial back so they won't see the box plugged in. Eventually we will get a letter from sky complaining that our 2 boxes are not connected to the same phone line (we have sky multi-room with a really old box in our family room). Maybe it is time to go to SKY HD, probably cheaper to buy a new HD box than cough up for an engineer to fix the existing box. More expense, new phones and new Sky box.<br /><br />SIL and her husband are visiting for 10 days. Luckily they are staying with MIL as DH has come down with something, came home on Friday evening feeling unwell and has been running a temp all weekend. So no outings with the visitors until he gets better.<br /><br />So to finish on a brighter note here is a flash of some stash acquired last month.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRIV4ZpyPGFKD1QXMFcRIpQZDqA7_sf2jPg62QCe_Z3VOgmImvHy8DdG1rkxbo8S4ETkB8FAhyphenhyphenSxh8I_Xk3vFyAJTgZoUOTEHv2ET7vgJmid3_9VBpshREgFE6FhASJacX9VHhDppQ_jo/s1600-h/PY+lace+grotto.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRIV4ZpyPGFKD1QXMFcRIpQZDqA7_sf2jPg62QCe_Z3VOgmImvHy8DdG1rkxbo8S4ETkB8FAhyphenhyphenSxh8I_Xk3vFyAJTgZoUOTEHv2ET7vgJmid3_9VBpshREgFE6FhASJacX9VHhDppQ_jo/s320/PY+lace+grotto.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368109992500979874" border="0" /></a><br />This is Posh Yarn Diana 2ply (lace) in colour Grotto, it is part of a shawl kit. I also got another skein of Diana in a different colour but I'll save that for another day.<br /><br />Considering all the expenditure recently, with more to come I'm going to have to go on a strict yarn diet for the foreseeable future. Just lucky I have a large yarn stash to shop from then isn't it.Amberpearlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08090652443054410707noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7464230874904437524.post-36909967243635133042009-07-29T01:16:00.005+01:002009-07-29T02:00:58.936+01:00Bits and PiecesAs usual there is knitting progress here but a lot slower than it has been for a while. I fairly zipped through the last couple of big projects (even though the sewing up isn't done yet) and now Lepidoptera is only going at snails pace.<br /><br />Here's the latest progress shot.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7QSc1e57SMNygcX31OFTM2da3cJ-Oqo8ayHL7inBzsIbw7KPz9LJm3YlGWQK7_49LLjb1JTcJlgmotBxHPU1a5y2o_YnSnF_ZXL_pN-mEUQnPS95kPL2tNLYsXOtRCo-PoNrAEpNRA64/s1600-h/Lepidoptera2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7QSc1e57SMNygcX31OFTM2da3cJ-Oqo8ayHL7inBzsIbw7KPz9LJm3YlGWQK7_49LLjb1JTcJlgmotBxHPU1a5y2o_YnSnF_ZXL_pN-mEUQnPS95kPL2tNLYsXOtRCo-PoNrAEpNRA64/s320/Lepidoptera2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5363671525731079122" border="0" /></a><br />I took this just before I started to introduce the 3rd colour and have now completed the 12 row transition into that 3rd colour. There is now a gentle hint of lilac starting to appear in the orange, but I haven't taken a photo of that yet. The rows are getting longer and longer so it takes longer and longer to work each of the rows. I find I can't do much at a time as my hands are tiring and cramping a bit working with fine circulars. I will have to rest them to get the kinks out. Perhaps I'll resurrect a WIP on straights to see if the needle change will help.<br /><br />I met up with <a href="http://gilraensknits.blogspot.com/">Gilraen</a> last week and we had a long lunch talking about knitting, books, films,... She suggested I might like to go along to one of the weekend SNB meetings with her, so I might just do that. While I was having lunch with gilraen my car was in for a service and MOT check, turns out it needed a good bit of work. It is now 8 years old and it is not unexpected that things are wearing out and needing replaced. It doesn't half cost money though AND my big freezer decided to bite the dust at the same time and we had to get a new freezer PDQ. That was a very costly few days.<br /><br />DH and I went to see Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince on Saturday night, I enjoyed it very much. SIL and her DH will be visiting MIL from 7th to 17th August so we will have to plan a few excursions while they are here. The Tall Ships will be in Belfast from 13th to 16th so we are going to organise one outing to inculde that.<br /><br />To conclude here is some stash enhancement from June. Some Posh Yarn, 3 skeins of Martha (80% merino 10% cashmere 10% nylon) 4 ply (fingering) in colour Wheat.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTz_rmiGVHfXZHaI7UJwEV9oBIbfzDnDCCOgoxOth7bsaxH8XLomyVNE4L9b6RK-23AviB7liNa6ZcF5YEgp86zWApKyeKnvlbKsFT0M2o32IJxmuf1o07WhWBSbIgX6f3dR8H4Hx1V8o/s1600-h/PY+Stash+June.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTz_rmiGVHfXZHaI7UJwEV9oBIbfzDnDCCOgoxOth7bsaxH8XLomyVNE4L9b6RK-23AviB7liNa6ZcF5YEgp86zWApKyeKnvlbKsFT0M2o32IJxmuf1o07WhWBSbIgX6f3dR8H4Hx1V8o/s320/PY+Stash+June.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5363678759815504418" border="0" /></a>Amberpearlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08090652443054410707noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7464230874904437524.post-59182308060895658002009-07-14T15:46:00.006+01:002009-07-14T17:34:10.968+01:00Unfinished SymphonyPhotos, I have 'em. I waited until the CLP is mostly pulled together....i.e it is off the needles but not sewn up yet. I'm just one of theose people who doesn't get to the sewing up without a lot of pressure. So the number of WIPs which are at the waiting stage is growing. There will have to be a reckoning one of these days and I will tackle my basket of mostly finished projects (MFPs) and then they will grow into fully fledged Finished Objects. Not yet however. In the meantime here is the penultimate photo of the CLP, the next time you see her she will be all sewn up.....<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs_5miA9eoedhasIcq2HxtQKK2BoGRmj86-QH1phfI9ui5TbJAozBcFmLzMX4fEJVPx0uV8DAyKk5LKWpWRoQrhP9i794z4nY8yXMt-jmJ6LuPqxrAv0woxB6_dHXYfBCUd9FkeX_RuCY/s1600-h/CLP6.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs_5miA9eoedhasIcq2HxtQKK2BoGRmj86-QH1phfI9ui5TbJAozBcFmLzMX4fEJVPx0uV8DAyKk5LKWpWRoQrhP9i794z4nY8yXMt-jmJ6LuPqxrAv0woxB6_dHXYfBCUd9FkeX_RuCY/s320/CLP6.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5358338863837089794" border="0" /></a><br />Just don't hold your breath waiting for the next one. OK so the photo is up to my usual crappy standard, the weather has been so wet and dark and the light so poor it doesn't help my appalling lack of skill. I've changed the neckline, as you may or may not be able to tell from the photo. I decided that as it is going to be a warm sweater I'd make the neck a bit more snuggly. So I did some decreasing and finished out the neck in SS. Then I cast off using 4.5mm needles to enable a nice rollover.<br /><br />On to the next subject. I wound a couple of skeins of the Sashimi last night and made a start on the Lepidoptera shawl. It doesn't look like much at the moment but it will grow.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirKEkGDeZhRX4F4oEAxoUmE4-jLyGxoTMzoN_EB2-r9wzVcaYMZod2v9dscE0rdddJhXYi-4cpd1nvfk5f0Is3iHwoBtdZ_3ByO5_8neo2_GTgVdUeyyifBMmj7xU9lFEkskJ1NlmVHY8/s1600-h/Lepidoterra1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirKEkGDeZhRX4F4oEAxoUmE4-jLyGxoTMzoN_EB2-r9wzVcaYMZod2v9dscE0rdddJhXYi-4cpd1nvfk5f0Is3iHwoBtdZ_3ByO5_8neo2_GTgVdUeyyifBMmj7xU9lFEkskJ1NlmVHY8/s320/Lepidoterra1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5358344950097637458" border="0" /></a><br />This is the first time I've done a triangular shawl but it's only a matter of shape. The knitting is all the same no matter the shape. I'm looking forward to seeing how the gradience dyed yarn makes the shawl change as the colours start to bloom. I need to work 8" of colour 1 before starting to blend on colour 2, and it is a blending process as you have to merge the 2 colours over 8 rows.<br /><br />I'll give you a peek of one of the 3 little parcels I got last month.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6Bc8EHpyfwfUxEKfHwHbxA64HyIn8xToiYtRZP2Eib4XsOAAaP4I2UHZI8_L76A2svmCu-zhjzKyOnbrb281jXc1bXqionbmcx6_LG4w14rRKLwwDPmP9fok7oALNK7gJhfeXNxSRcdQ/s1600-h/RDC+June.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6Bc8EHpyfwfUxEKfHwHbxA64HyIn8xToiYtRZP2Eib4XsOAAaP4I2UHZI8_L76A2svmCu-zhjzKyOnbrb281jXc1bXqionbmcx6_LG4w14rRKLwwDPmP9fok7oALNK7gJhfeXNxSRcdQ/s320/RDC+June.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5358349386210531938" border="0" /></a><br />This is my parcel from the Unique Sheep for the Rubber Ducky Club, June shipment. I haven't chosen a pattern for it yet. I think DH will like this as he is a "blue" person so I'll have to pick a pattern he'll like. Shouldn't be too difficult, nothing frilly.<br /><br />I succumbed to one of the Tilda shawl kits from Posh Yarn a few weeks ago, I'll have to take a photo of that for another post some time.<br /><br />I'm going to meet up with <a href="http://gilraensknits.blogspot.com/">Gilrean </a>next week, we have not met before but discovered we live relatively close. She goes to some of the knitting get togethers around the country but I have never attended any of these. It will be nice to meet up with someone from the knitting community, I'm usually to be found knitting on my own.<br /><br />Enough for now, I'll keep you updated on Lepidoptera as she grows. For now I'll have to get back to some decluttering as SIL and her husband are visiting for 10 days next month. I'm going to have to dig the dining room out for underneath a clutter of computer bits, saucepans and yarn...... Here is where it would be nice to be able to conjure up "storage space". Think there's any chance I could wiggle my nose and it would happen? Oh well wishful thinking.Amberpearlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08090652443054410707noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7464230874904437524.post-85419150322896012592009-07-10T23:28:00.005+01:002009-07-11T00:21:36.119+01:00And then there was the White Rabbit.....Not literally, it just seems like I have followed the White Rabbit down the rabbit hole.<br /><br />Time has been marching on apace, at such a pace that I coudn't even catch it if I was the world record holder for the 100m sprint.<br /><br />I have knitting to report but no photos - yet. I'm going to make time over the weekend and get some photos taken to update my projects. My CLP now consists of a finished body and 2 finished sleeves all strung together on the circular needles ready to join for the neck. I need to sew in the sleeves first, but it is nearing completion, photos soon.<br /><br />I shall be winding my skeins of sashimi in preparation for the lepidoptera shawl. I'm looking forward to seeing how the gradience dyed yarn knits up. As it is triangular I'm expecting to see huge progress to begin with and then it'll get slower and slower as it grows. I'd love to be starting my Sunday cardigan too but I do need a rest from knitting garments, so I think some smaller things for a while. My hands need a rest, they are cramping a bit so I think I'd better have a break before I do damage.<br /><br />This weekend is a big holiday weekend in Northern Ireland, referred to locally as "The 12th". The 12th July is given over to marches with bands and gatherings of the Loyal Orange Order who celebrate the victory of King William of Orange over King James II at the River Boyne. DH gets 2 days off work so we have a long weekend. The weather forecast is not very promising for the next few days however. As the 12th is a Sunday this year the parades will be taking place on Monday, there will be no marches on Sunday. Whichever day we will be staying at home, enjoying the peace and quiet of the country, well away from the parades.<br /><br /> I was reminded last week about some skirts I'd promised to look out for my BF, so I got them out..... Then I fought my way into a wardrobe that has been blocked in for a while and could not believe what was in it. Well half the contents have now been divided out between a couple of friends, who got a couple of things out of the clear out, and the rest has gone to charity shops. The other half will be tackled at some future stage and I'm sure most if it will end up in charirty shops too, perhaps I'll find room for all the overspill in my bedroom after all.<br /><br />The two birthday outings last weekend were a great success but it took me days to get over the indigestion and I felt totally exhausted for several days. I feel like I'm getting my energy back so I'll have to turn my attention to some more sorting out again.<br /><br />We took MIL for a Tepanyaki lunch and she thoroughly enjoyed it, so much so that she spent the afternoon writing a letter to her daughter giving her a full account of the whole thing. We all enjoyed it, perhaps we'll do it again when SIL and husband are over for a visit next month.<br /><br />Our Saturday evening surprise birthday party went very well. Shirley was totally surprised at the gathering who were waiting for her at the restaraunt. She thought her husband was taking her out for a quiet meal. There was 10 of us and a good evening was had by all. The food was superb and the staff were very good. Her husband had got a cake made with a photo of Shirley as a little girl on it. I think she will be making him pay for that. <br /><br />I have some photos of the birthdays and of some new parcels I got, of course they are still in the camera. I'll get them all downloaded soon, I have to send Shirley some from her birthday.<br /><br />Time to go now and catch the last episode of "Torchwood: Children of Earth". I'm looking forward to a new series starting on FX next week ------"TrueBlood", based on the Sookie Stackhouse novels by Charlene Harris, I've read them all so far.Amberpearlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08090652443054410707noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7464230874904437524.post-85030754426148107722009-06-30T22:39:00.004+01:002009-06-30T23:07:04.367+01:00Nothing to see hereNo, nothing at all. Move along now, move right along. That is still no photos. That doesn't mean no progress.<br /><br />The first sleeve is almost finished, just some final raglan decreases then it goes on the holders along with the front and back stitches. The sleeve looks remarkably like the front and back, just narrower anyway, so just look at the other photos and use your imagination.<br /><br />I thought I'd get in a quick post though as I will be extremely busy over the next few days and I didn't want any of you out there to think I'd fallen off the planet (haha). I will hopefully get some knitting in but I don't see any photos happening. I'm out tomorrow then I need to spend most of Thursday get me sorted for Birthday Friday and Saturday(now that is a big job). Come Sunday I'll be glad to rest up and very probably not eat.<br /><br />So nothing more here until next week. I promise I will have some photos then.Amberpearlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08090652443054410707noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7464230874904437524.post-46712030350247602122009-06-27T16:36:00.003+01:002009-06-27T16:50:11.708+01:00CLP resumesNo photos folks, I haven't taken the camera out to catch up on progress yet. I got my needles on Wednesday but didn't get the sleeve cast on until Thursday as I was out on Wednesday. Progress has been good though, I'm about the elbow I suppose. I have made the sleeve longer by adding another pattern on the lace as I did with the body, this means it will be in proportion too. I'm rattling along apace at the moment as sleeves (at this point) are a lot smaller than the body. I'll get some photos next week but progress will HAVE to slow due to 2 big birthdays at the end of next week (and some much needed tidying and cleaning).<br /><br />So this is short and sweet, just to let you know I'm progressing.<br /><br />BTW I'm so looking forward to starting Lepidoptera, but .... I'm finishing CLP first.<br /><br /><br />OH and before I forget, does anybody know where I might look for a reasonably priced copy of Cat Bordhis "A Treasury of Magical Knitting" in the UK.Amberpearlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08090652443054410707noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7464230874904437524.post-300029398499637142009-06-21T15:18:00.003+01:002009-06-21T15:55:40.251+01:00There will be a short delay......while I await delivery of a set of 3.75mm DPNs.<br /><br />Just when you think there can't be anything missing from your substantial stock of needles, you find a gap. I've got everything up to and including 3.5mm, then 4mm and up (well most of those). So after finishing the body of the CLP after midnight last night I decided to search out the DPNs for the sleeves before going to bed. Only I couldn't find any 3.75mm. Now I do have 3.75 circs as that was what I was using on the body, but don't have a cord short enough and I'm not sure I would enjoy fighting with a cord short enough if there was one (there probably is). I could do the sleeves flat but then I'd have to seam the sleeves and that's the whole reason I did the body in the round. I always think sleeve seams never look as tidy due to the increases anyway. So I've ordered the 3.75mm DPNs and I'll just have to wait for them. In the meantime here's the latest<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjod7mlejgKkI2E6UmAm2e28RONlFmsT529u_uUHlCdDI_QuQA1T1Had_N-h03R70v_mkTUF0TEM_vgLuMcxO_1W9yelGpm0Fa_IUOElwXuIPBdLXxpDsudGlNxixhmQAV-jydAvEMUvD4/s1600-h/CLP4.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjod7mlejgKkI2E6UmAm2e28RONlFmsT529u_uUHlCdDI_QuQA1T1Had_N-h03R70v_mkTUF0TEM_vgLuMcxO_1W9yelGpm0Fa_IUOElwXuIPBdLXxpDsudGlNxixhmQAV-jydAvEMUvD4/s320/CLP4.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5349787868416375458" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ04a7cKY94MinaQpknlSZQQF7eekK9AMptZ3BxLJ1Q6galqSDCdO-Z8LvGozmwC_DtYscJD6-KajSGqeyqh59FkwaSj_3mIAzIYnZ8Or403UG64l6LRQUJsjPTrFsrnC2uS-dST0Vtxk/s1600-h/CLP5.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ04a7cKY94MinaQpknlSZQQF7eekK9AMptZ3BxLJ1Q6galqSDCdO-Z8LvGozmwC_DtYscJD6-KajSGqeyqh59FkwaSj_3mIAzIYnZ8Or403UG64l6LRQUJsjPTrFsrnC2uS-dST0Vtxk/s320/CLP5.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5349787867719645090" border="0" /></a><br />Pretty isn't it. The stitch pattern will open up better once blocked I think, there's lots of stretch to it. It is beautifully soft and cosy and such a lovely colour.<br /><br />I really don't want to start another project until the knitting on this is finished so I think the house will at least get a clean and the laundry will get caught up on for a day or 2. I also have the soap sack I started a few weeks ago so that will keep me going for a day or two plus all those projects needing finished off. Now I do have a plan for finishing them off just not quite yet. I had a thought of doing a burst of finishing just before the cooler weather of autumn so that I had several new things to wear. That would make it feel like a whole new wardrobe and perhaps I would get back to some smaller things and perhaps even some Christmas knitting for this year. I haven't decided on the Christmas knitting yet but I'm thinking about it. I only have 2 nieces, a SIL, BIL and DH who would be potential recipients, so not a big list and achievable if I decide to do it.<br /><br />I got 3 new deliverys in the last few days - a Posh Yarn parcel from last weeks sale, 3 skeins of a lovely wheat colour, then June LOTR sock club and June Rubber Ducky club. I haven't any photos of those to show. Have to keep something up my sleeve for when I have no progress shots. So that's why I'm back so soon for an update - no CLP knitting today. My hands are itching, I'll have to pull out that soap sack later, or .... one of the hibernating projects shamefully resting in the WIP pile. Who knows what lengths I might go to later.<br /><br />See you all soon.Amberpearlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08090652443054410707noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7464230874904437524.post-77535326588208505992009-06-19T17:11:00.006+01:002009-06-19T18:35:47.810+01:00Magnificent ObsessionWell I don't know if magnificent is the right adjective here but there has definitely been a big obsession going on here. I can't seem to put the CLP down, it has a grip on me, so much so that I have been knitting the CLP to the exclusion of everything else. Now I don't mean that in just knitting terms, I mean to the absolute exclusion of everything else, cleaning, cooking, laundry,... you get the picture. I've taken photos several times over the past few days for the express purpose of posting on progress and then can't put the CLP down long enough to get the laptop set up and logged on. So today I have forced myself to put the CLP down for a few hours to get caught up online. Yesterday's progress to date on the CLP.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4pV2c_Wi0hmpyITZvFAG9SUJUcpdEkP3lcbLJ-mJCIWeL_UwDsZCabB7rAGea2QGieUdyZTSni4y19PwZbR1k_YBdIVPeRbJEtICFJCT8nszklXl6OBFGMxDA4rm-sFYouFIGMp2aNL4/s1600-h/CLP3.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4pV2c_Wi0hmpyITZvFAG9SUJUcpdEkP3lcbLJ-mJCIWeL_UwDsZCabB7rAGea2QGieUdyZTSni4y19PwZbR1k_YBdIVPeRbJEtICFJCT8nszklXl6OBFGMxDA4rm-sFYouFIGMp2aNL4/s320/CLP3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5349080015112424146" border="0" /></a><br />This was a few rounds off the armhole. I haven't taken a photo today but I am now approx 16 rows from finishing the raglan on the back. I'll have that done in the next couple of hours and hopefully by the time I go to bed I'll be well up the front raglan decreases. I can't believe how fast this is going, of course that's proabably to do with the obsessive knitting. Perhaps I'll get a sleeve started and come to a halt, who knows. Mind you it's not as if I'll be wearing this before September/October as it is alpaca and will be a cosy sweater. I'm finding it difficult to get the colour right in the photos. It is a lovely strong honey yellow - yes Katherine a good "redhead" colour. I absoloutely love yellow, strong warm yellow.<br /><br />Speaking of yellow I won a prize in a competition over at <a href="http://www.rockpoolcandy.com/">RockpoolCandy</a>. The prize was a skein of yarn dyed especially for me in my fave colour. Here it is<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ2Iqeu4RIrjamV8_IQhhI1xMqq3Z1hRqS9Ta_rHGFjiR_X3kQxBa1WKmy0PiDLIN-B4HW6UeA89vbnRtzK9QKAW5qKdrWCrNIeU8cR9uioMnGmTre3vV2r743bRtlOmZh2MF7t9ncduc/s1600-h/RPC+Prize.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ2Iqeu4RIrjamV8_IQhhI1xMqq3Z1hRqS9Ta_rHGFjiR_X3kQxBa1WKmy0PiDLIN-B4HW6UeA89vbnRtzK9QKAW5qKdrWCrNIeU8cR9uioMnGmTre3vV2r743bRtlOmZh2MF7t9ncduc/s320/RPC+Prize.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5349084417229589762" border="0" /></a><br />Pepper on guard duty (or sleeping on it), actually she is doing her best to ignore me setting the photo up and flashing at her. The photo doesn't do it justice, it is multihued.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO4RIMlPKeQI29BntQLo5nAzWYiDl8wx0_fQsNPJaqAPlDDhMFZDRx8045EwqgsQ-IREM-9GX7TLwKo9paxfLd8KntTLwNFdDb2Vp4gt1uLuRy-622gAWPOyiq5dJpBfR5dWxkI51XZJE/s1600-h/Anne's+Egg+fest.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO4RIMlPKeQI29BntQLo5nAzWYiDl8wx0_fQsNPJaqAPlDDhMFZDRx8045EwqgsQ-IREM-9GX7TLwKo9paxfLd8KntTLwNFdDb2Vp4gt1uLuRy-622gAWPOyiq5dJpBfR5dWxkI51XZJE/s320/Anne's+Egg+fest.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5349089618950364482" border="0" /></a><br />She named it Anne's Egg Fest as she based it mostly on egg yolk yellow. The yarn is a mix of Merino, banana, texel, wenslydale, silk and corriedale. I have no idea what it will become YET, in the meantime it will rest for a while and wait for inspiration. When the time comes I will keep you posted on its development.<br /><br />Now I promised a photo of a recent delivery from <a href="http://theuniquesheep.blogspot.com/">The Unique Sheep</a> so here goes<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLHqP3iB0ADJ29D9gNp_6X72dRCnKsjb9Qfy2cip46uPIvj04A8qnZV23evI7Zbk06HYxNIaXibfOTEiZsvYOu3hCaR1x249OSR8LlKHD_Owywi4wlEgpB52S4wDPIZNO1gVfD24LPNp0/s1600-h/US+Daybreak.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLHqP3iB0ADJ29D9gNp_6X72dRCnKsjb9Qfy2cip46uPIvj04A8qnZV23evI7Zbk06HYxNIaXibfOTEiZsvYOu3hCaR1x249OSR8LlKHD_Owywi4wlEgpB52S4wDPIZNO1gVfD24LPNp0/s320/US+Daybreak.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5349089130557686274" border="0" /></a><br />The shawl is called Lepidoptera and I'm doing it in one of the Unique Sheeps Gradience colourways - Daybreak. The colour starts with number one on the far right and number 6 is the far left. The pattern has instructions how to work the gradience colours. I think this will be my next major project after the CLP and once I get through the birthdays coming up in July.<br /><br />I'm organising a night out for a friend's 50th birthday. Her birthday is July 2nd but their wedding anniversay in July 4th so a group of us are going out for a meal on Sat 4th July. She doesn't know about it, I'm coordianting with her husband. Then we have MIL 88th birthday on July 3rd, so DH and I are taking her to lunch on Friday 3rd. We won't need to eat for a week at least after those few days.<br /><br />Now back to work on my CLP. I'll be back soon with more.Amberpearlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08090652443054410707noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7464230874904437524.post-13010254362468938082009-06-14T20:08:00.008+01:002009-06-14T20:56:30.527+01:00Decisions DecisionsWell as my previous post said I ordered 4 sets of buttons in my quest to find the perfect ones for my FLS. Here they are all together, the following photos show each set on the FLS<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy1kIScuFJnMSRzTfK1jtT1duKI6AYesQ0BSxR_TsFZDVjg-Y8iEKqg4YArA6ZPvnvNWKWLnANQ8YKyBTpoZB2equseFUKi8jj2fQryZNi882YVUNIdGq1erGu3uVvIOnKrv8fR9y-X0c/s1600-h/Buttons.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy1kIScuFJnMSRzTfK1jtT1duKI6AYesQ0BSxR_TsFZDVjg-Y8iEKqg4YArA6ZPvnvNWKWLnANQ8YKyBTpoZB2equseFUKi8jj2fQryZNi882YVUNIdGq1erGu3uVvIOnKrv8fR9y-X0c/s320/Buttons.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5347264930477955378" border="0" /></a><br />The next photo shows the set on top left, they look OK yes? They would do but just not the perfect button.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtLdw_tGc8yuGDRNpFHwgaZ6N9FG63hQnzkzvA8ocwOB_Tic7T-DvDJzmzOaRqHO_vci6hyphenhyphenF4tsrWtiRhx_17LCjBBGRJvmBGwF5fSKV36dDDs3tCuA0GYYp84-5vwLK1W1hR3YJTfneU/s1600-h/FLS+Buttons1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtLdw_tGc8yuGDRNpFHwgaZ6N9FG63hQnzkzvA8ocwOB_Tic7T-DvDJzmzOaRqHO_vci6hyphenhyphenF4tsrWtiRhx_17LCjBBGRJvmBGwF5fSKV36dDDs3tCuA0GYYp84-5vwLK1W1hR3YJTfneU/s320/FLS+Buttons1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5347264933055175922" border="0" /></a>Second set, these are the ones on bottom right. They are a better choice than the first set but again not the perfect set.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVGlt9U521ZD7VNaqZIVft8Fqv-ove_oFaBg8RuG8cHRpSn16FkbUa9egfOAyO-huEiP5JeVXU0p4a8l_mkpSGCQ-o4CrgondAZ8UawqRaHljvT6QeDtRFwxTAqHU8ovwkcioFVpzmZyI/s1600-h/FLS+Buttons3.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVGlt9U521ZD7VNaqZIVft8Fqv-ove_oFaBg8RuG8cHRpSn16FkbUa9egfOAyO-huEiP5JeVXU0p4a8l_mkpSGCQ-o4CrgondAZ8UawqRaHljvT6QeDtRFwxTAqHU8ovwkcioFVpzmZyI/s320/FLS+Buttons3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5347264939900719970" border="0" /></a>Set number 3 - from top right. Now these are great and if I wanted the buttons to be unobtrousive these would be perfect.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS8T7ViK6th98t9v-5diTG2lgTR_guAEcSzf3-3czFrTP7smLV_cL6b3Kh7ylqTKF5NysoBWWtPj7uUEBXhutWYv9EG2T_LtPkFcn84kMhVBFPB6HGmAUWHN-rYCtQEnLqxFeyiGQBjDg/s1600-h/FLS+Buttons2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS8T7ViK6th98t9v-5diTG2lgTR_guAEcSzf3-3czFrTP7smLV_cL6b3Kh7ylqTKF5NysoBWWtPj7uUEBXhutWYv9EG2T_LtPkFcn84kMhVBFPB6HGmAUWHN-rYCtQEnLqxFeyiGQBjDg/s320/FLS+Buttons2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5347264939977558050" border="0" /></a>In fact it was difficult to choose between these and the last set but here you are the ones I chose, bottom left. Now I know some of you out there will disagree but then it is my choice and I happen to think these are perfect.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIqt58l_pC9i7RqE7HEMkBwXdVqDXJ9YxphO24MbC21tHPcY4c6Gk3veA7UwQg2n_UlcQGz_4qL7mo5N1DLKP5Wm-ihrakQ1Pyh7NowrnUG1QKEsJzP3lwMxfIJlZN9xY0bcUgf2fqrU0/s1600-h/FLS+Buttons4.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIqt58l_pC9i7RqE7HEMkBwXdVqDXJ9YxphO24MbC21tHPcY4c6Gk3veA7UwQg2n_UlcQGz_4qL7mo5N1DLKP5Wm-ihrakQ1Pyh7NowrnUG1QKEsJzP3lwMxfIJlZN9xY0bcUgf2fqrU0/s320/FLS+Buttons4.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5347264943801109842" border="0" /></a><br />And the long shot. They have come up more orange than they actually are, more amber coloured. Anyway I think these are the best.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg430EspYvB237xmfwHtGUi893tLYmcpy8IVoDK8zEn4ZMTIYbRAr-1q_tch6g85PFK0qpY0ZNoTlXl4__rVAjT9k_FJz1L3OD4p7U63eBkKxusvMqVkHsT6iWNaHnkO6WNjP1UBa1hEdY/s1600-h/FLS+Complete.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg430EspYvB237xmfwHtGUi893tLYmcpy8IVoDK8zEn4ZMTIYbRAr-1q_tch6g85PFK0qpY0ZNoTlXl4__rVAjT9k_FJz1L3OD4p7U63eBkKxusvMqVkHsT6iWNaHnkO6WNjP1UBa1hEdY/s320/FLS+Complete.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5347265656575770738" border="0" /></a><br />Which ones would you have chosen?<br /><br />Still no photos of me modelling the cardi. I'll have to get around to asking DH to do the honours. Some day you will get a surprise photo of me modelling the FLS, but I won't say when.<br /><br />I've been working away on the CLP (Chinese Lace Pullover) and have finished the lace section and now into the body increase shaping. I wanted to make the sweater longer as I don't like short sweaters. When I read through the pattern I decided the best way to do that was to increase the lace panel on the bottom as the waist decreases are achieved within the lace. The lace pattern is 24 rows and the sweater called for 34 rows (1 full pattern + repeat the first 10 rows) I worked 2 full pattern repeats then first 10 rows again. This added just under 3 inches to the length.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP_RRwrTAPa2aCFMBc275XeNsJ_ecNjNQSGZPoJQpbyq4EVS188es8GI1KhPSBVcWhC24exhIv49MWbqJD5YJXcvs0tXtNR9fkEX28USJSap0oL2axF2zAx9OVoVH_sEUvuaiJgH6k5uI/s1600-h/CLP1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP_RRwrTAPa2aCFMBc275XeNsJ_ecNjNQSGZPoJQpbyq4EVS188es8GI1KhPSBVcWhC24exhIv49MWbqJD5YJXcvs0tXtNR9fkEX28USJSap0oL2axF2zAx9OVoVH_sEUvuaiJgH6k5uI/s320/CLP1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5347271214432329746" border="0" /></a>I am further on than this photo shows, I took this a few days ago but I haven't a more up to date photo. Here's a close up of the lace panel<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR7tz1uh8sx01Ou-n9ebt-PD0PL5y7CZQ1C-3qL-p7CdDH7AYWUP_HhWulI7iD3Sc4fhGlgjiR7EbZI3VrKmWf4p-fY0yTMA-2Q6zBCG80cb204l6VdesWoUkY3ViRXW8vf1GNHYWejXY/s1600-h/CLP+closeup.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR7tz1uh8sx01Ou-n9ebt-PD0PL5y7CZQ1C-3qL-p7CdDH7AYWUP_HhWulI7iD3Sc4fhGlgjiR7EbZI3VrKmWf4p-fY0yTMA-2Q6zBCG80cb204l6VdesWoUkY3ViRXW8vf1GNHYWejXY/s320/CLP+closeup.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5347271844259769170" border="0" /></a><br />I'll give you a progress update on the CLP in a few days time and photos of a new delivery. Yarn from the Unique Sheep for a shawl. You'll have to wait for those, the yarn is amazing and special. Come back for a look, you won't want to miss it<br /><br />Must run now, time for the latest episode of the new House.Amberpearlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08090652443054410707noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7464230874904437524.post-9651169933110882802009-06-10T00:14:00.002+01:002009-06-10T00:19:25.876+01:00Just passing throughJust a quick entry, no photos.<br /><br />I found the buttons for my FLS. In the end I ordered 4 different sets of buttons during my search and of the 4 sets 1 would do but doesn't really enhance, 2 of them look nice but 1 of the sets is it, the best. It sets the jacket and the yarn off at its best.<br /><br />I'll take some photos of all the sets and then I'll get the FLS finished off. Photos of progress on the CLP will be coming soon too.<br /><br />Tha thats all folksAmberpearlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08090652443054410707noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7464230874904437524.post-21827426564093564112009-06-05T17:20:00.005+01:002009-06-05T18:35:17.522+01:00Crossing the finish lineAnd, Yes she did it, Yeah. The FLS is now off the needles. I cast off the 2nd sleeve yesterday afternoon, took some photos (which all turned out to be really crap) and then immediately cast on the next big project. I will let you have one photo, and believe me it's the best of them. I cannot take portrait photos of myself. Perhaps if I had a better positioned large mirror it might work. My only big mirror is directly opposite the front door so when I try to take self portraits you get the light directly behind my head bouncing off everything. So enough excuses about the crappy photo and the mess stacked up in the hall behind me too.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP7J7vgFzppKRFxmF27Ja28tWQG59frvSdyPuSTeyWLfwjbZDPlsllszIkPMisrkIIgriJw2gfurwQOBXF0FBsg0d3AMSZ4g0KwmZlxVre-U3Z3MZZyg8lYJYc-30hwZTy3Ez9a4htiik/s1600-h/Finished+FLS.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP7J7vgFzppKRFxmF27Ja28tWQG59frvSdyPuSTeyWLfwjbZDPlsllszIkPMisrkIIgriJw2gfurwQOBXF0FBsg0d3AMSZ4g0KwmZlxVre-U3Z3MZZyg8lYJYc-30hwZTy3Ez9a4htiik/s320/Finished+FLS.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5343882984076024930" border="0" /></a><br />I think you'll all agree that is one ugly photo. The FLS is truly beautiful in real life and I am so pleased with it, I'm not sure if any photo can really do it justice, the colours are jewel tones yet soft and the yarn is so snuggly soft and delicately fluffy. This piece must have the least finishing of any project (except socks) I've ever done. The yarn was in 2 enormous skeins and as the whole body took just a bit less than one skein there are no ends but the 2 CO and BO tails to weave in. There are 2 more tails at the underarm pickup and sleeve bind off and that's it. I have to go look for more buttons though, I did get lovely buttons which would have been ideal but they are too small for the buttonhole so I have to do another search. I'll try and get DH to take a few more photos outside this weekend (if the weather holds) as you might get a better idea of the true colour in natural light. Changes - I happened to read the Yarn Harlots blog entries on her FLS just before I started mine so I followed her modification, swapping the YO increases for M1<span style="font-style: italic;"> </span>removing the eyelet row.<br /><br />Yes I have cast on the Chinese Lace Pullover and have got as far as the 12th round, no photos of this yet, there's not enough to show but I'll keep you up to date on progress next week. I'm one of those people who casts on the next project immediately after casting off the previous one (provided this has not already happened due to startitis). I have to have the next project in swing before I do any sewing on the finished project - so that I have actual knitting. That way I can do the finishing over time, it always takes me ages to get from casting off to completed project (unless it's something small like socks or scarf/shawl).<br /><br />To make up for the crappiness of the FLS photo here are a couple of good photos I took in the garden the other day. I think you'll agree these are much better - there's no me in them.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCBVBhRCWKGj6hdX9FFuZijabVMgawLQWHoSBtEim2Jav0vDYm8E0TX_4tD8SXBSL2b4v5xB8A7B5vVu3WQC5IiDVnjrIvzElmFFThJAm73f8ynhyosX7PKo3Q-RMU4SLplIZKgSkR7-s/s1600-h/Gate+in+Bloom.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCBVBhRCWKGj6hdX9FFuZijabVMgawLQWHoSBtEim2Jav0vDYm8E0TX_4tD8SXBSL2b4v5xB8A7B5vVu3WQC5IiDVnjrIvzElmFFThJAm73f8ynhyosX7PKo3Q-RMU4SLplIZKgSkR7-s/s320/Gate+in+Bloom.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5343894046826158402" border="0" /></a><br />A beautiful sunny day and my Laburnum looking good. This is my gateway. The Laburnum is now past its loveliest for this year, the blooms are fading and falling but I do so love it when its in bloom with all its pendulous bright yellow flowers. It was covered in masses of flowers this year, compared to last year when it wasn't at its best. I don't think any of our gardens were at their best last year. Hopefully the fact that we have had such amazing colour from our blooms so far means we are going to get a proper summer this year.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik4KHy7m4jc8lL_wdpsQzrzAExQgmYZF9tEechozTELSLUyDdKCUm0nYBqreIUqK1gfxq9FKe400Rp9GWttnLGkAY951QicImQ2k0etvqj8fhTyoQv2ppQeiHg-diZHJlAAvs67qzcP_s/s1600-h/Pepper+in+garden.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik4KHy7m4jc8lL_wdpsQzrzAExQgmYZF9tEechozTELSLUyDdKCUm0nYBqreIUqK1gfxq9FKe400Rp9GWttnLGkAY951QicImQ2k0etvqj8fhTyoQv2ppQeiHg-diZHJlAAvs67qzcP_s/s320/Pepper+in+garden.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5343894047084452770" border="0" /></a><br />And for you further delectation - a glimpse of my Pepper waddling up the garden. She doesn't do the heat so well and while she likes to spend time in the garden with me I try to keep her inside when it gets very hot.<br /><br />It's DHs birthday on Sunday and when asked what he would like to do for his birthday his answer was "forget it". Anyway we're going out to a nice restaraunt on Saturday night and there will be croissant for Sunday breakfast (we normally only do those on bank holiday weekends). OK off to do some more rounds on my CLP and attend to the laundry before DH comes home with the Friday night fish and chips.Amberpearlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08090652443054410707noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7464230874904437524.post-46334470670709387822009-06-03T19:03:00.002+01:002009-06-03T19:24:55.627+01:00Sunshine, you are my sunshineOh boy, have we had sunshine here for the past few days. It is so welcome, our weather has been dull and cold for so long. Of course that doesn't mean a mad rush into the sun, slowly, slowly does it. For an Irish redhead like myself one has to be careful. So, short bursts, not getting burnt or going red. If your skin has gone red in the sun you've suffered burn damage already. I do eventually take a colour - with care. The forecast is for sunshine and showers from tomorrow on but I'm hoping we are finally going to get the long, hot summer we've been promised especially after the NON summer we had last year.<br /><br />No photos of knitting or anything else. I've been working away at my FLS and I'm 2 patterns and a garter stitch border from finishing the second sleeve, so nearly finished. I'll try and put a spurt on later tonight, see if I can finish it. Of course the heat we have had recently hasn't exactly made it great for knitting fluffy yarn, it gets very warm with a fluffy cardi on your knee.<br /><br />I've resisted casting on my Chinese lace pullover with the mantra "I'm nearly finished my cardi" keeping me going. My friend Susan paid a quick visit last week and here comment on my FLS was that she thought it the loveliest thing she'd seen me knit to date. Of course she hasn't seen everything I've ever done and some of my earlier stuff - as in before I knew Susan - was just as nice. Of course I put off taking photos thinking I'd wait until it was finished. So photos on that soon, finished (except for buttons) and then it will be on to cast on my CLP (chinese lace pullover). I did order buttons but I think they are too small, I'm a terrible judge of button size, so I'll have to look for some more.<br /><br />Pizza and tossed salad tonight I think with some cider and ice creams for afters. It is summer here after all.Amberpearlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08090652443054410707noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7464230874904437524.post-7127516682688163472009-05-21T20:41:00.007+01:002009-05-21T22:31:38.559+01:00Progress and New ProjectsI'm trying to get back on track with posting a bit better. I started out well(ish) and then went a bit slow. I thinks sometimes it is like knitting, you get black holes, where life seems to disappear and you can't seem to beat your way out of a wet paper bag.<br /><br />So I do have knitting progress, as the title suggests (I really wish I could think up more imaginative titles, mine seem to be so boring). My FLS has suddenly taken on her proper personality. I have finished the body and started the first sleeve. I took some photos to mark the ocassion so without further ado - The FLS<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdHlLN3ueReiGefQfFeB7vPvQFpvDwPLFwABPVAmTJcKWs1f4oaJIHXNrYSezewlZ4jFV-xgoWyBhbGB8XAx2DmDBtD3XXmN6C7XvSpwqFBlUrf7mq_OZzTWadHYqx7dj0urZfK0aR4tI/s1600-h/FLS+Front.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdHlLN3ueReiGefQfFeB7vPvQFpvDwPLFwABPVAmTJcKWs1f4oaJIHXNrYSezewlZ4jFV-xgoWyBhbGB8XAx2DmDBtD3XXmN6C7XvSpwqFBlUrf7mq_OZzTWadHYqx7dj0urZfK0aR4tI/s320/FLS+Front.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5338371170869491218" border="0" /></a>Front<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkkNLDv1HB24vPQ3-wUSlBwh9uRRwk-CxdVkdSs2S5K-6JkT9XcwKuQaQeJCJg-s6M7FdH4OXg2P5hhVcjpW9PtU-PuNhnwS0m68H9-rVUQA2cXeibiflNnqKhTirX6cvic_odMzz8bLY/s1600-h/FLS+Back.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkkNLDv1HB24vPQ3-wUSlBwh9uRRwk-CxdVkdSs2S5K-6JkT9XcwKuQaQeJCJg-s6M7FdH4OXg2P5hhVcjpW9PtU-PuNhnwS0m68H9-rVUQA2cXeibiflNnqKhTirX6cvic_odMzz8bLY/s320/FLS+Back.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5338372442934424610" border="0" /></a>Back<br /></div><br />Yeh looks huge doesn't it - but then it has to fit me. I've tried it on and it fits like a dream. It comes to just under my butt, nice length. It is so light and soft and fluffy. Admitedly you can't really see the stitch definition because of the yarn, but it is there.<br /><br />I had a bit of a lapse last week - it was sort of odd, like I couldn't keep hold of my money, it was running out of my pockets like it was water. Spend, spend, spend, maybe it was something to do with spending a fair bit of money on my new Netbook and I had to spend more. OK I've calmed down now, but here are a couple of things that made it in under the wire, 2 new projects<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7UDEgubeJNdQIsZsb8kOKJMsu9Xxz1erGM9_mYt3xEwwzaux0jvv5_GKvSgNPleC5UlGFGBZDybpFJY1ZBfsdZ1Bh3_C9lZbW63xNPqDYg37riyDua2CLHqk-QdhJ7FlaY3uIxDppHeQ/s1600-h/CLP1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7UDEgubeJNdQIsZsb8kOKJMsu9Xxz1erGM9_mYt3xEwwzaux0jvv5_GKvSgNPleC5UlGFGBZDybpFJY1ZBfsdZ1Bh3_C9lZbW63xNPqDYg37riyDua2CLHqk-QdhJ7FlaY3uIxDppHeQ/s320/CLP1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5338380597759113890" border="0" /></a>The Chinese Lace Pullover by Angela Hahn of <a href="http://knititude.com/">Knititude</a>. I got some Artesano Alpaca DK in colour Equador, a lovely sunny yellow, my fave colour. Got the yarn from <a href="http://www.woollyworkshop.co.uk">Woollyworkshop</a><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivVOHCmvpDF35TlU5N34453XnjrMStxly4P3qm1T29vRDMB7ji4j-jCt_ummIRwF50_7W3y5e-OPWaCHGGrpJd86vSWZMenCQWxoTCs2pzwaOo4PkpaBJZQWeTLzQ8VRP_f-urCJ3KVpQ/s1600-h/SC+1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivVOHCmvpDF35TlU5N34453XnjrMStxly4P3qm1T29vRDMB7ji4j-jCt_ummIRwF50_7W3y5e-OPWaCHGGrpJd86vSWZMenCQWxoTCs2pzwaOo4PkpaBJZQWeTLzQ8VRP_f-urCJ3KVpQ/s320/SC+1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5338382673568548850" border="0" /></a><br />Blue Sky Alpacas Sunday Cardigan and I got the yarn Alpaca Silk, the colour is garnet. I do so love rich jewel tones. Got this from <a href="http://www.getknitted.com/">GetKnitted</a><br /><br />Tine to go, try and put a few inches on my sleeve. Won't have time for any tomorrow, got to put in some overtime on the housework.Amberpearlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08090652443054410707noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7464230874904437524.post-12215070523077985322009-05-17T13:43:00.023+01:002009-05-17T15:17:25.718+01:00At last some photosOK I tried this on Friday but blogger wouldn't load any photos so I'm giving this another go. It was very frustrating continually selecting photos loading them and then blogger coming up blank. But Hey TaDa! the first photo from my new Netbook and what better than the little beauty herself. I've placed it next to an A4 folder for scale, see how small it is and it is only 1.5kg - a little under 31/2 lb<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1vUYZghNPn7czrSIs041WBJOTKzsCYF0lBqa9KWr6A8YUufOJs97VbA6cS4gIsrjNFNHFpH3-vLQ0mrGSUgsPBjDYnZNKe2qKhOUVhKFpq9IHQprZiM4nofMa1NG0VvdYBvJXGcCPs_E/s1600-h/Netbook+1.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1vUYZghNPn7czrSIs041WBJOTKzsCYF0lBqa9KWr6A8YUufOJs97VbA6cS4gIsrjNFNHFpH3-vLQ0mrGSUgsPBjDYnZNKe2qKhOUVhKFpq9IHQprZiM4nofMa1NG0VvdYBvJXGcCPs_E/s320/Netbook+1.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5336776675076578930" border="0" /></a><br />Still with the plastic sheet on in an attempt to keep the fingerprints off for a while, it is what they call piano black, that glossy black that is beautifully and absolutely fantastic for gathering fingerprints - wouldn't those CSIs have a field day with it.<br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8kGdSn9SXPm5b9wB93BHC4w86Fzsr1NAnjG-F_T1bFRsky5tvoLOX3uclxaJ6ngfBTc7x814jJEfsD02VFCNB4AMuJLmkn9hdRhOSGguUO3iX0oZ-BQCN5PBOklpXqWrENGuPCnmGM2o/s1600-h/Netbook+2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8kGdSn9SXPm5b9wB93BHC4w86Fzsr1NAnjG-F_T1bFRsky5tvoLOX3uclxaJ6ngfBTc7x814jJEfsD02VFCNB4AMuJLmkn9hdRhOSGguUO3iX0oZ-BQCN5PBOklpXqWrENGuPCnmGM2o/s200/Netbook+2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5336781545397988258" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4xucAfkqnD875qf9D5ShHD73M42-nDCN1-fWHRu8M24QObU_3zMAbgD3q4NcCShkd8_FpD03gCgmkq-_kJZC92n9iAWw6rUfZicgX9romoYiOqgqn8Dbb8ZhTZ8d5VBL-zvTDA4CHch0/s1600-h/Netbook+3.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4xucAfkqnD875qf9D5ShHD73M42-nDCN1-fWHRu8M24QObU_3zMAbgD3q4NcCShkd8_FpD03gCgmkq-_kJZC92n9iAWw6rUfZicgX9romoYiOqgqn8Dbb8ZhTZ8d5VBL-zvTDA4CHch0/s200/Netbook+3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5336782908653595810" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Well, what do you think, isn't it lovely? I'll leave you to drool over my baby.<br /><br />OK now for the knitting update. I finished my latest washcloth using <a href="http://theuniquesheep.com/">The Unique Sheep</a> Pima Petite in colour Rubber Ducky, this was the April delivery from The Rubber Ducky Club.<br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb0ZjDNh69dXPbayyInhbCXpH6OHheuu4_8ym-Ng611ezhCIT1ra_zKdcCpiN0cIaOyD1MvdI_XOJIkfbZ_AZk5DJF0x-yiZQcJa6vywHiSf8qhrcl7XGsADkvsQR0oBbR9bZ5-eiApKk/s1600-h/Rubber+Ducky+April+2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb0ZjDNh69dXPbayyInhbCXpH6OHheuu4_8ym-Ng611ezhCIT1ra_zKdcCpiN0cIaOyD1MvdI_XOJIkfbZ_AZk5DJF0x-yiZQcJa6vywHiSf8qhrcl7XGsADkvsQR0oBbR9bZ5-eiApKk/s320/Rubber+Ducky+April+2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5336787932277277730" border="0" /></a>I used a pattern which I had previously purchased from The Unique Sheep called "Woven". I love it, this is a softer, silkier cotton than Peaches & Creme. The skeins are only 2 oz but as you can see from the photo I have quite a bit over, in fact 7/8 oz. The washcloth is 8" square and I'm hoping to get a soapsack out of the remainder, it certainly goes a long way. The woven pattern is yarn hungry too as it uses cables to achieve that basket weave effect. I'll have to try a lacey pattern with my June yarn. Not that far away now.<br /><br /><br />I mentioned previously that I was working on a February Lady Sweater (FLS). It is quite difficult to take photos of to get the shape so I tried putting it on a hanger. This worked better, I hung it from a door, but all our doors are darkish so the colours haven't come up as well as they might. Anyway here's the latest, I may have put another inch or 2 on since then but it's basically the same.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUus7az9138iBL-jzl5QRSbfh2VCBuOibITgBkNdKCOBXWw-y_lavyCH78wBe544y75Xhe1ddUXAcis7rcsj0vPHXTcyD78p_17BcyrrLr2jw2CvgpMOlOFMzn26GBwC_n53oAcEOGAmM/s1600-h/FLS+May+2009.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUus7az9138iBL-jzl5QRSbfh2VCBuOibITgBkNdKCOBXWw-y_lavyCH78wBe544y75Xhe1ddUXAcis7rcsj0vPHXTcyD78p_17BcyrrLr2jw2CvgpMOlOFMzn26GBwC_n53oAcEOGAmM/s320/FLS+May+2009.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5336793314094097378" border="0" /></a><br />I want this to be nice and long to cover most of the tops I would wear it with so I think I will make the body about 19" from underarm. The sleeves will also be full length, not 3/4, I'm not a big fan of 3/4 sleeves, especially in a country with our climate, we certainly don't get temps anywhere near even what London gets in the summer.<br /><br />Right on the last lap for this post, no more about knitting or my new Netbook. We went to the movies last night to see the new Star Trek, I've always been a big fan, now not a full blown Trekkie, but I've certainly watched every incarnation of it and all the films so far. I have to say it was superb, a really big action movie and they managed to get the casting right, you could see the original characters there still. I'm hoping there will be more. I highly recommend it, even if you've never watched any Star Trek before, if you like action movies you'll love this<br /><br />So enough for now. Off to put in some knitting time on my FLS.Amberpearlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08090652443054410707noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7464230874904437524.post-13561790788359863672009-05-13T22:58:00.004+01:002009-05-14T11:01:22.326+01:00WhooppeeeeeeeeeeeeeSo here it is, the first post from my new Netbook. It arrived today, in fact it arrived while I was out for lunch. I came home to find it waiting on my back doorstep. <span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-style: italic;"></span></span> It has taken hours to get this far so no photos yet. It has been charged, configured and a few things installed but I haven't as yet restored my last backup. However, just to test things out I thought I'd better check there were no problems posting - haha.<br /><br />I will take some photos of this little beauty too and include them in a future post.<br /><br />I had a fabulous lunch with my young friend today, she is looking great for someone entering their 3rd trimester. She loved the BSJ too, unfortunately the buttons had not arrived on time so we have arranged to meet up again next month before she goes on maternity leave.<br /><br />So....enough for now, more will follow in a few days when I get all my files and documents restored and get the new photos out of my camera.Amberpearlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08090652443054410707noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7464230874904437524.post-36135653528151943512009-05-12T13:04:00.005+01:002009-05-12T13:33:09.083+01:00Problem solvedYes well sort of solved. Ahem, well yes, a new Netbook is on its way to me. We have not yet managed to have a look into the problem with my laptop, so it is still in its bag in the dunces corner. We do intend to try and fix it, provided it is not going to be expensive.<br /><br />I spotted an extremely attractive offer for the new Samsung NC12 - a 12" Netbook and I couldn't resist. It is so lovely looking and so up to date. All I have to do now is wait, impatiently, for it to arrive, then get it set up the way I want it again. I have a backup that was taken not very long ago and I'm probably only missing some photos which are still on my card. In the meantime I'm still using DHs laptop so no photos.<br /><br />The weather here has finally decided to pick itself up off the floor and we have had a few sunny days, so I ran around like a mad thing on Sunday and took lots of photos in the garden as this just happens to be the time when most of my shrubs and trees are in flower. I really will have to consider planting some summer flowering plants, but I'm a very poor gardener I don't really get the whole messing about in soil stuff.<br /><br />I also took some knitting progress shots but you won't be seeing any of those until my new netbook is in action, so that was just to tease you.<br /><br />I'm out all day tomorrow catching up with people and getting the weekly shop done. I'm meeting up with an ex work colleague for lunch and giving her the Baby Surprise jacket, I hope she likes it. I've ordered buttons for it but if they don't arrive in todays post I'll have to get them to her another time. Then meeting my BF for the afternoon, shopping and coffee and talking and .....<br /><br />So - without the photos a quick post. Now I'm off to get the "tarting up" process started, after all if I'm meeting old friends I need to look like I'm a lady of leisure. Nails, face, hair,.........<br /><br />Happy knitting allAmberpearlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08090652443054410707noreply@blogger.com1