Leaves and Buttons

Over the past few days it has been impossible to notice the change in colour of the leaves on the trees in our garden, and also the number of fallen leaves. I was sad to discover this today, though. Years ago, when Euan was about 10, he would enthusiastically collect literally hundreds of conkers at this time of year. For school playground games, for playing with at home, for baking in the bottom of the Rayburn or simply just because he could! Sarah was just 2, and wanted to copy whatever her big brother did. I decided, in a moment of madness, to get them to plant up a couple of containers with some of the spoils - one container each.
No-one was more surprised than me, when both containers started to display signs of growth! The result, our very own potted conker trees! Obviously, when we moved house they came with us and they are as much a part of our family as the cats. The ownership of the containers has blurred over the years and there is an unspoken competition over which will grow the tallest, have the most leaves etc each year.
What amuses me, is that no matter how small the tree, the leaves are a standard full grown tree size! Amazing. (and a bit odd).
I, personally, use them to let me know when Spring has arrived = new buds, or Autumn has really begun = orange leaves, then no leaves! This year, one of them has skipped a stage - and has jumped straight into the bare and interesting look. I have to admit, I feel a little sad.....

Moving onto buttons.... my last post about Button Tins has sparked a number of memories amongst my friends and readers. Today I have heard about people colour sorting Grandma's buttons, following patterns in the carpets, threading them all together with a bodkin and thread, to name but a few. What is interesting is that for everyone, the thought of a button tin brings back happy memories of childhood and relations who are perhaps no longer with us. Maybe I should start a National Button Tin Celebration Day? The whole day could be devoted to sorting, sifting, rattling, threading and just stepping back in time. Meanwhile, here is a photograph of one of my many button tins. Enjoy!

Finished Objects

I have been knitting up a storm this last week, well only a small storm, but starting and finishing a project (albeit small) does make me feel a whole lot better!
Having seen the Tea Cosy that Alix, from the Knitting Group, brought in I knew that I, too, had to knit one! To add the perfect finishing touch, Alix bought some fantastic, bright coloured buttons for her creation and it was much admired (and photographed).

I present Le Tea Cosy in Autumn Colours - perfect for our grizzly Newcastle days. I had great fun raiding my button boxes.

Knitted in Lang yarn's Mille Fiamme

Talking of button tins - see above - does the noise of buttons in a tin bring back memories for anyone?

As soon as I open a tin of buttons, and we have a few, and give it a little shake, just in case any treasures come up to the surface! I am transported back to childhood! That satisfying noise when you tip them all out and stir them around with your hands - the feel of them as they slip through your fingers. I am whisked back to when I used to play at home, and at my Nain's, and my auntie's houses on the floor with the button tins and......better still.....a tin tray! Can you hear the noise, can you remember it??? Perfect..maybe I need to source a tin tray??



The Knit Studio Website goes Live

With a little bit of help - read A LOT of help from Suzanne !! The Knit Studio Website is up and running! Hooray!!

Find it in this place - I am very excited about this new development and cannot say a big enough Thank You to Suzanne for spending some time with me today to make this happen.

Go check it out - I still have photos to add, but I think it looks great.

New Blocking Device

I present - Pebbles - a new blocking device for knitters! Pebbles has many advantages - he is warm and heavy - does not move easily - stays in place all night and best of all - he Purrs!!!!

Photograph courtesy of knitting pal Suzanne

Not My Tea Cosy!

This Tea Cosy was knitted by Alix, one of the Blackfriars Knit Studio Knitting Group. The pattern is from The Wild Tea Cosies Book by Laoni Prior, and the yarn Mille Fiame by Lang. Isn't it fabulous?

There is another Tea Cosy, beautifully knitted by Meriel, another member of the group. It is a work in progress as it going to be adorned with embellishments by the other members. I will post a photograph when work is complete.

Proud Mum

Today, I watched Sarah go on court at half time during Newcastle Eagles first match of the Basketball Season. Sarah has been selected to play for the Eagles School of Excellence Under 16's Ladies Team, and we are all very proud of her. The Eagles match went into not one, but two extra times - very exciting and a very special game for us to remember! Well done Sarah!!

ETA Will try post a better picture tomorrow.

Favourite Old Jumpers

Yesterday, I decided, in a moment of madness to attempt to sort out the hundreds of Photographs stored in Files and Folders on my poor, nearly full laptop. This led to an interesting discovery, there were photographs of jumpers that I had not seen for ages. Which has now set me on another quest - to do in my spare time, of course - find the boxes that store the missing items. Anyway, here is one of my favourite, old jumpers, knitted by my mum who knows how many years ago! At least 15 I think. It was knitted in Littlewoods Aran yarn - yes, Littlewoods used to have their own yarn.  And here is me, wearing it last year!

Excuse the nerdy stance - but look at all that work!
Still love it, mum - just have to find it!!!

A little bit of Knit Studio news here - I am holding a McMillan Coffee morning tomorrow as part of the World's Biggest Coffee Morning to raise money for this very worthwhile charity. 11.00 to 2.00 ish - there will be coffee, tea, cake, biscuits, a raffle and possibly some knitting.