Cold Hands - Warm Gloves

I don't know about anyone else, I can bear the cold weather if my hands and feet are warm. It has been extremely cold here in Newcastle this week, and with my penchant for losing gloves my hands have been freezing (cue one miserable person!)
So, when I received some fab new yarn in a recent stock delivery at The Knit Studio I knew exactly what to knit!
Now, this yarn is relatively new to the market - 6 projects on Ravelry and is actually sock yarn, but when you look at the ball you would expect it to knit up in stripes. And it does, but not in stripes as I know them! Have a look and you will see what I mean -

Sorry, small pic! Get your magnifiers out!

Interesting aren't they?

Knitted on 2.5mm dpn's - 54 sts - knit every row - thumb opening created the same way as Fetching and knit to fit! Easy! and more importantly warm!

Yarn is Katia Olé Socks Senses - 100g balls - 75% wool 25% acrylic.

When I showed them to Sarah we realised she shares the same 'matching gene' as her Grandma as she said she could not wear them as they did not match! My mum, you see, will wind off the yarn before she begins her second sock in order to match the strips exactly, this trait has skipped a generation and Sarah suffers from it too! This does of course mean I get to keep the gloves!! Hooray!

Pennies

And...for those who were wondering .......the meaning of my mum's phrase yesterday is....

there's not much to her, slim, slight etc - in other words my mum thinks I look too thin at the moment! Which is actually the result of being so ill over Christmas and still not 100% and I have lost a little weight!

We went to Royal Quays today which is a collection of Retail Outlets at North Shields. In the centre of the shops is this fantastic clock which 'performs' every hour on the hour. I remember when Euan and Sarah were both younger we always had to stand and watch it billowing steam out of it's mouth. Personally, I find it a bit spooky. It takes a good photo though!

What Does It Mean?

In the car with mum yesterday and she was describing a person, she thought I might know and said -
"You know, she is just like you - tuppence worth of coppers"!!!
So as I'm driving I start to think - what did this actually mean - apparently you can also say two penneth!
I'll leave you to think about it - and Blog the answer later today!
We are now returning to Boundary Mills as the assistant forgot to pack half the purchases and we did not check til we got home!

A Glimpse of My Week

Well, what a busy week we are having. It is so good to have mum and dad here and to spend some time with them. It has been a bit hectic here, and I sometimes think life in Newcastle may be a bit too busy for them!
However, here are a few photos of what has been happening in the last week.

Saturday Morning Knitting Group @ The Knit Studio 22nd January.

Mum's Christmas Present Scarf

Coffee and Cake at Debenhams

Cute card received from a dear friend

New yarn arrives at The Knit Studio

100% Silk                                                       100% Linen

'Magic' Range of superwash 4ply 

And, there has actually been some knitting going on!

I have been knitting this all week in the evenings, and I love it!

I also 'christened' my Christmas present mug! How cool is this?

There seems to be a bit of colour co-ordination going on, doesn't there? It is quite unintentional!

And finally, a word about our belated christmas Dinner. Even the cats are beginning to wonder - Mittens is offering himself up to be the table centre piece! Look how worried Pebbles looks - it's a kind of 'Ooo you are going to get into such trouble!' look, isn't it?

The poor turkey has been squashed in the freezer since December, and today finally he will be revealed! You know what it's like in a busy household - you think you have a day sorted when everyone is free - then, something unexpected but important crops up. Today was to be our Christmas day - but is now postponed til tomorrow evening. As I type, Sarah is heading towards Stockport, in Cheshire to play in a Basketball match and will not get home until 9.00pm this evening. (Good luck Sarah).

This does mean that now, mum and I are free to partake in a little retail therapy - Royal Quays beckons..... Enjoy the rest of your weekend - and thanks for all your lovely comments!



What Does It Mean?

Yes! It means that tomorrow my parents are travelling from Bexhill to Newcastle! Hooray! We can have our 'real' Christmas Dinner! They can open their presents! They can even open their suitcases and be re-united with their 'best' clothes!
I am so looking forward to seeing them, Christmas just was not the same without them.
So, there has been a lot of activity chez moi, tidying, hoovering and even ironing in readiness for the grand arrival. Even the weather seems to be on its' best behaviour with the forecast promising much milder weather for their stay.

Last week was a bit frantic too - a trip to the passport office in Durham to get Sarah's passport processed for a school trip next month. Her current one doesn't expire until end of March but suddenly it 'needed' to have 6 months validity after the date of departure! Anyway, cue panic photography, finding an available 'professional' person to validate the application form, and queing for what seemed like hours in the Post office to be told it may not be back in time and that I would have to 'Fast Track' the application (also known as let's make your stressful time worse by charging you an extra £40 for the priviledge) Anyway, it's all sorted now and we received the new one within 3 days! Pretty impressive.

Meanwhile, some brand new to the North East yarns arrived at The Knit Studio which meant a bit of shuffling around of stock and of course photographs being taken.(Show and tell to follow).

I have also joined a brilliant group on Ravelry called #11in11. You pledge to knit 11 neck adornments (scarves, wraps, shawls etc) in the 11 months to November, 2011. The only problem with joining the group has been that it has highlighted some fabulous patterns that I would have otherwise not seen and now feel the NEED to knit, crochet and add to my list. My 11in11 looks like it could become 111inwhenever!

TTFN

Twas the Night Before .....

the New Year Begins!!!!

and......only 2 sleeves to sew up, and 11 rows of 550 sts in KidsilkHaze and all 2010 projects are finished! Hooray!

The ironing is done (well, some of it)

Friends have been seen (briefly)

Bedding has been changed (almost)

Texts have been sent

Emails have also been sent

Facebook has been updated

Cats have been fed

Tea is cooking

Wine is chilling

Bubbly too (for later)

all that I need to do now is to

Wish you all a very Happy, Healthy, Contented and Rewarding New Year!

Thanks again for all your love, friendship, support, advice, loan of ears, helping hands and comments here on my Blog!
I really do appreciate it, more than I could ever say here!
and

 Msg to Mum and Dad - Love you lots and miss you loads - see you in January!xxxx

My New Year Flowers

 

It's Official, sadly...

After, yet another long conversation with my mum, we have decided it would be best if they do not attempt to travel North until the New Year. This makes me sad for a number of reasons, I miss them, and Christmas just has not been the same, at all, without them. BUT we have been and still are, chez moi, ill with colds, flu, runny noses, hacking coughs and not really a suitable environment for OAP's (sorry mum and dad)! AND mum and dad are not in the best of health just now, and really, we have made the best and most sensible decision. BUT this does not make me feel any better, or make me miss them less, and now I have to break the news to Euan and Sarah - who for the first time have experienced Christmas and Sarah her Birthday, without the comforting presence of the Grandparents!
Maybe I feel their absence more because I am not 'myself' and usually, mum takes up the reins in these situations - you know - 'It's ok, I can do that. You sit down, I'll get you a cup of tea, medicine, Lemsip etc'. and I could sit back in the knowledge that it would all be alright.
Anyway, enough of this self pity! On the plus side it means that when they do come up, the weather may be better, we will all be germ free, the crowds and tourists will have gone from our usual haunts. and.....having missed them so much, we will appreciate their company much more. Bring on 2011!!!!
I have now, placed their suitcases out of sight as just a glimpse of them brings on sadness! (We arrange for the luggage to be collected and delivered here so that mum and dad travel luggage free!) I may have to return the cases though, as according to dad all his 'best' clothes are in them and he's doing a good impression of Compo from Last of the Summer Wine!

Christmas Plans Thwarted

Yes, I know, it has been a while since my last Blog post! Things have been quite hectic here, and things are NOT going according to plan!
I spent a fab day in Edinburgh last Tuesday and met up with Lindsay, who lives there, and Janice from Aberdeen. We had a great time catching up and had a little 'show and tell' with our current knitting projects.
And after that, well it all starts to go downhill I'm afraid. We have all caught this awful flu' that is doing the rounds, and quite frankly I have felt terrible. One night I did not even knit! so bad did I feel!
We have had incredibly cold temperatures and more snow and it certainly has not put us in the Christmas mood!
BUT
The biggest disappointment has been that because of the weather and Rail problems we have been unable to get my parents to Newcastle for the Christmas festivities! Sarah and I left on Tuesday morning and the plan was to meet mum and dad in London then travel back with them later in the evening. However, electric cables across the railway tracks put paid to that. With all trains out of Kings Cross getting cancelled and hundreds of people getiing stranded at Peterborough, who were heading South. Fortunately, I managed to stop my mum and dad making a useless journey to London but we are all, as you can imagine very sad and disappointed. Christmas will not be the same at all, without them.
I know I should think positive, and think well, at least we all all safe in our own homes, and warm and dry and yes, they can still come up early in the New Year but it's not the same is it? Really?
Mum and dad if you are reading this - We miss you already!!
I have more to post, but will do that later when I may feel a) warmer b) more positive  c) find the photos I want to upload.

What a Difference

My mum and dad have been staying this week (half term) and have seen The Knit Studio for the very first time. Over the past months they have seen various photos, heard my long lists of things to do and finally....last Monday actually got to see the place! And they love it - as I hoped they would. Over the last few days they have met and chatted to my knitting friends, drank cups of tea, glasses of wine, ate cake and biscuits, compared yarns, patterns and garments. I have really enjoyed having them stay and sharing my place with them.
On the home front, Euan and Sarah have enjoyed seeing their Grandparents and spending some time with them. We even had a family trip to Morpeth on Wednesday. The cats too, have enjoyed their company. Mittens loves my mum and plonks himself on her knee at every opportunity - the only problem with this is : he is 7 and half kilos and a BIG cat and my mum is quite small and cannot move when he is sitting there.
I travel back to Sussex with them on Tuesday to return to Newcastle on Wednesday and you know something? The journey home, alone, will feel twice as long!

Phew!

What a very busy week! I think I have travelled over 1000 miles this week and it is GOOD to be home.
I have visited Create in Ilkley, Liss Wools in Liss and Kangaroo in Lewes (see side bar for links) and as always, had a great time, met some lovely ladies, chatted, tutored, crocheted and knitted.
On Friday, I took mum and dad to Eastbourne Marina where we enjoyed the last of the summer shunshine whilst enjoying the view.
My drive home today, was, for once, without incident and it took only six and a half hours. I did feel sorry for the people stuck in the huge traffic jam leaving Newcastle on the A1, that I passed in the way. Especially as I guess most of them had been taking part in The Great North Run - congratulations and well done to all participants. I always have a huge admiration for everyone who takes part in this, or any other races. Running is not, and never has been my 'thing'! Although if there was a 'yarn bargain' involved I might be persuaded. Seriously though, I have watched with interest the increasing number of runners I have seen, gradually building their stamina and fitness for this race, when driving in or around Newcastle and I salute their commitment and dedication.
Whilst staying at mum and dad's I noticed once again, how, when I stay there I seem to morph into a teenage daughter who has lost the use of her legs! Er dad, I'll have a cup of tea if you are in the kitchen, would you get me a biscuit while you're there??? Are you getting the picture? The long journey home gives me a lot of thinking time - and I shall be trying harder not to be THAT daughter next time I am there.
After reading this Blog, I realised I had forgotten to post a photograph of the only item I was lucky enough to obtain in the recent Auction. It is a beautiful patchwork quilt, in blues and creams, all hand stitched with care. It is in pride of place in The Knit Studio and looks fab - what do you think?

Flowers for Mum!

My parents live in East Sussex which means I don't get to see them as often as I would like to. Since we moved to our new house with a garden, mum and I have lots of 'gardening' conversations. So, mum, just for you are some pics of recent flowers that have appeared in the last few weeks.

Hope you like my little Fenham Flower Show!