houses, reading, guide camp and book keeping

I know I had promised I would keep this more up to date than it has been but things are still so busy in what I thought was a rather quite life.

We are days away from moving house just now waiting for confirmation of the dates. I am going to take loads of pictures of our old house cause now we are so close to leaving it I am getting rather sad but so very excited.

Elvis as you can see has been busy getting ready and thought he would help me with my washing

I have today been book keeping as sad as it may sound I really enjoy and its much better than all the sport Chris continues to watch. I have been finding myself having a conversation about the Rugby world cup to find he has changed the channel and its now the cricket world cup and he is laughing at me again for not knowing anything about sport. Then all of a sudden the F1 motor racing. Keeping my head in the books seems much easier to me. That's all going really well though. I am about to get my second assignment in some time in the next few days. After getting an A on the last I am hoping I can keep this good work up.

I finished the last Harry Potter book last week and thought it was ok. It had been far too hyped up and that made for large expectations. Still I have now changed my reading standards for a while and thought I would re-visit the world of Riders by Jilly Cooper for some real take your mind off things fiction. I love these books and merly only read them to escape.

Since I last posted I have been on Guide camp. I had such an amazing time and I would post photos but I am not allowed in case the girls are in shot. We had many adventures one of which was when I was walking through the site I found the other leader, Ruth standing there looking most confused at about midnight when all the girls were tucked up in bed. She had been woken by lots of rustling. She, as I did once she had explained thought there was a stranger on the site eating his or her way through the store tent not being very successful in being quiet. I didn't know what to do but for fear of the girls safety I ran to the store tent and threw open the doors ready to jump on the back of a big scary man not sure what I would do after that and found a lovely hedgehog snuffling through a packet of Custard Creams. It was so sweet but it was the middle of the night and I wanted my bed so I tried to usher him out of the tent which he did not want to do. Eventually he moved to the edge so I lifted the tent over him and went to bed hoping he wouldn't steal any more food. By morning he was gone and we were only a packet of Custard Creams down. Well after this camp I have now passed my licence subject to a few bits and bobs of paper work and I can camp with the guides when ever I want to.

Yesterday, Rosie, a Friend from work stayed and she decided it would be a good idea to ride her bicycle all the way back to Norwich. Mad she must be but she bloomin did it. She left here at 4:30pm ish and arrived at approx 6:40pm. Good on her is all I can say but she is completetly mad.

Still I have had a lovely week end just pondering and pottering and promise to show you some made things very soon

So so busy

Well things have been soooooo hectic in my life for the last few weeks. I have been completing knitting projects intime for babies birth dates. I have been book keeping which I find really enjoyable and I have been selling my little house.
Its been so exciting as all of a sudden people have been wanting to see my little house which has been on the market for what seems like an age.
Then one couple turned up and you could tell they wanted it even before they got through the door. They are going to use it as a holiday home and I am so sure they are going to love it. So we have spent many days out hunting for houses and found 2.
We have put an offer on a little 2 up 2 down with loads of land which we would need to put an extension on to make it big enough to live here for ever more. This is the house that we have always seen our selves living in and with a fair amount of work we could get it to work. We would never again un less we wanted to.
But we have also found a house which is horrid from the outside but it it amazing from the inside. Its got things all in the wrong places and has 4 floors with a kitchen in the basement and a loft conversion with a toilet in the attic.
We can't make up our minds up as to what to do as we would have to move again one day which is not what we wanted but the house is so quirkie its great.
Well I am now off to see some more houses and make these desicions even harder for us both.

I am still trying to read my Agatha Christie book. Just so little time - Pictures to come next time

Not much but quite a lot

Well the last few weeks have been rather quite thats why I have not posted recently. I have however under taken quite a big thing. I am going to take a book keeping course. I know its rather a random choice but it could do us well in the future. I received my books last week in this nifty satchel and have already done quite a bit of work. I sat down today however and Elvis thought he would help me out! I was reading and trying to be clever and he dumped him self down right on my book! Oh Bless Him

That is really all I have to say today.

Lilly of the Valley

Just the picture - I am so pleased

Small projects are just as much fun

So I have been moving offices at work and am wondering how things are going to work out once we have moved. We are not going tot be able to do any work Monday because of the move and I have to say I am quite excited. I am going to be working in the same office as my father which could go either way. We shall have to see.

Last night our back door broke and I could not lock it. This meant I was under house arrest as he was out playing cricket. I had to entertain myself so of course out came the knitting. I thought it would be lovely to start and finish a project all in one evening which I have done. I made these little slippers. They took me about 2.5hours start to finish and I had them on e-bay by 9:30am this morning when the window man, Nigel turned up and fixed the doors. So helpful coming out on a Sunday.

Just to add another picture here is Elvis jungling and I have just noticed by putting this picture on that we have some Lilly of the Valley in our garden. This is great because it is my faverorite flower. Its so small and beautifully formed and it was my Nanny's fave flower. When I got married because non of my grandparents were still here to be at the wedding I had little tokens of things they liked to remind me of them. A dancing shoe for my Gran, a cross necklace for my Grandad who was a vicar and Lilly of the Valley in my boquet for my Nanny. and now we have some in the garden. I am so pleased as we have been trying to grow them for ages.

During the Easter weekend I asked him to tape the Miss Marple episode on the Monday so I could watch it when we got home. He did but of course miss the ending when you find out what has been happening. Years ago my mum gave me her collection of Agatha Christie books and low and behold in here was this book. I have now had to start reading this so I could find out who did it. I tell you what it takes a lot longer than watching it on the telly. I am sure mum will not forgive me for this but look at how old it is.

This week

I have now been back at work for 1 week and I hate it. I am now going to apply for every job I can find to get out of there.



Enough of that. I have succeeded where others have failed and managed to make a toad in the hole with no help from my mum as she has been in the states with dad looking at the bodies exhibition which is dead people cut up and severe weather from snow and buying snow chains for their car to dust storms in the desert. Sounded like they had a great time. Any way here is a picture of my toad in the hole taken by him so it is a little out of focus.


My mum in law also planted these great bulbs that looked like caterpillars a few years ago and suddenly this year they have decided to do some thing.
They are a most wonderful colour purple but this hasn't come out so well on these pictures.
Brov in law is back tomorrow for a holiday! Its gonna be strange having him home again after so many weeks. Well 8 weeks of being without him I really don't know how Chris is going to cope with having him home again. He is so excited he is bouncing off the walls even though he has to get up at 3am to pick him up from the airport. I see a very long weekend ahead of more parties and lots of family occasions like lunch with the grannies. It's going to be fun I hope.

Its my Birthday

It was my birthday last weekend and I have been off on leave all week and had a wonderful time. No work, lots of sun and plenty of chocolate and ice cream.

For my birthday I got two knitting books from the girls at work and a pom pom maker which looks great and means I do not have to make bits of cardboard any more. I have to say I have not been knitting much as I have not been here too much.

I received tickets from my husband to see Wicked which is the show all about the witches from the Wizard of Oz and what happened to them before the melting. I have to say it was fantastic but it really is a girlie show to see and not too much for the boys. The scenes how ever were really impressive and I did try to take a picture for Tim to see them but they didn't come out. All I can say is there was a dragon hanging over the stage that would light up and blow fire at times through out the show. wow is all I can say about that.

We had a gorgeous room but the bed was two singles pushed together so I spent the night on the hard lump of the join of the beds but I didn't mind any of that if it meant I could have a proper hotel power shower. We only have a bath at home so a power shower and a top quality hotel power shower was just the best. I could have stayed in there for hours. On the 2nd day we decided we would go to the London Zoo. This was nice but not the best zoo I have ever been to. I still maintain that was the New Orleans zoo before Hurricane Katrina but this still quite good. I loved how they had the monkeys in an enclosure that you could walk around and if they felt like it they could jump on you. I so wanted this to happen. There was a photographer there giving the little monkeys hard boiled painted eggs for them to play with and this was so cute until they dropped the egg and all ran away. This what the picture shows but I could not get close enough.

I have been knitting. I have started and finished a project with out stopping and changing to another because I was bored. I am quite pleased with the pirates jumper but it was my first go at placing a pattern and you can tell I have not done this before.

After some time off

Well I have to say I have had a few hard months and had to take some time out of everything but I do think I have started to get my self sorted. One of the main things that has happened is the Chris' little brother has left England to live in Canada with his girlfriend. This created a whole week of partying, including final gigs, final nights at the pub, final meals and all the rest of the final things you have to do when you leave some where.
This is the only picture I have of him at a friends wedding. He always has a glass in his hand. I have to say I do miss having him about but I am so happy for him where he is. Just hope it all works out for him. I shall keep you posted on his progress.

I have created in this time but not quite at the rate I had been going at but I have not sold any thing including my house but I have not had any thing on e-bay in quite a while although I am thinking about putting this hat on. I do like it but I am just thinking now I have made it I really don't think I am going to wear it. Some one else could enjoy it more. I think that is a plan.

I also made mum one of the little scarfs I made before but I made it in pink like this colour which is mums fave. Only problem is I did not take a picture of it but I will try and snap it whilst mum is wearing it.

One of the girls at work is now 5 months pregnant and has asked for a blanket to be made which I have made a start on. I am really enjoying making this because it's all very simple and all I have to do is to choose a colour and get knitting. Each square takes about 1 1/2 hours and is normal double knit. Only thing is Laura told me the other day that she does not like pink too much. I am going to have to re-think the colours in this a little.

I have also just bought a new knitting book by Zoe Mellor. I am really liking her stuff and am now on the hunt for the booties book from some where nice and cheep. Any way Chris' freind has a little boy who is mad keen on pirates so I have decided to make this little jumper for him. This is the first time I have knitted a jumper from double knit and I am so impressed at how quick it is growing. I am now at that stage however when you are convinced that it is just not going to be big enough. I shall keep going and I am sure that everything will work out in the end.

A little bit of bad news is that I have managed to shrink my one and only TV jumper. Its not so bad that I can not wear it but it is not quite as comfy as it was. I am now having to concentrate on the navy and pink one. I have completed the back and a sleeve in the new style and am going to have to get on with the rest but I will finish pirates first. I still also have the bogey green shawl to complete. I really love how this is coming out but it is so hard and its takes an age on concentrating so hard that I have to really want to spend time on it and that is not what things have been about recently. Hopefully in the next few weeks this will change and I will be able to get a little further.

Well at last I have sorted my self out long enough to fill you in on the knits of the last couple of months and I promise I shall keep things a little more up to date now and for ever more. Back soon xx

So I have done it again

I have put even more stuff on eBay. I do believe there may be a small addiction to selling stuff. I have only put a few on today then some more tomorrow so things will start to end every day. I just can not be doing with all this waiting.

I have now placed these on eBay. I did make them for my self but don't like them so I will have to see how they go. If I make anything from them I will be well pleased. I am now photographing the rest of my stuff so I can list it on eBay. I got a really good feedback from the beret. They said it was a lovely item !!! More later

I have done it

I have sold the beret and the bag and for the money I wanted. I am so pleased. I don't know why i didn't try this eBay thing earlier. I shall have to try other things. I have now put on my all in one scarf hat thing kindly modelled here by Vicky and another little bag.

I am going to have to start to make some new things. I have just been to see Marie and Dave and their little one. They have still not named him but he is ever so gorgeous. They loved their little bits and so I am definitely going to make lots more of these to put on eBay. I think I could do quite well doing this but it is never going to be a living unless I do some thing very drastic which I really don't think I will do just yet in my life. Its one hell of a gamble. May be one day

The Busy Weekend

Well I have had another busy weekend. Clearing out attics and filling skips. I have also been shopping for my friends new little 'un. I haven't seen him yet and they haven't decided on the name yet but I have bought him some bits and bobs and I have also sent him some socks and things. I made the green stripey socks when Marie first told me she was pregnant. For some reason I must have known she was going to have a boy.

CONGRATULATIONS Marie and Dave. These purple and aqua booties and mittens were made from Jager Double Knit and Rowan Kid silk. The Stripey ones are made from bits I had hanging around. My gran mother left me a great deal of knitting wool with no labels but it does come in handy for these little projects. I have added a little of the aqua Rowan Kidsilk for that fluffy touch .

The booties with stars on were Marie's fave when I showed her all the bits I had knitted but unfortunately or even fortunately these sold so I do not have a pair to give her now but I will make her some. Again these were made from bits and bobs from Gran. She did have a good selection. Just a shame I seem to have used loads of it up now.

I have also been experimenting for new Guide craft evenings. I bought some shrink plastic years ago for this reason but have never got round to trying it out until today. Chris is at a booze bros gig which leaves me loads of time on my own to pootle about which Chris says I do all the time but I think I do it because I always have. I am almost an only child as I have a step sister but she never really lived with us. Which means I am just used to entertaining my self. Any way enough of that. This plastic stuff is great. You draw a picture on it, cut it out, chuck it in the oven for a minute or so, stick it under a book and, magic you have a key ring or a book mark or what ever you want. I have made my self a badge for Guides so every one knowes my name. I am well impressed but now need to buy more as my guide unit is 10 times bigger than it was when I bought this stuff.

In my last entry I said I would add a picture of the bogey green scarf. This is it so far. I have done loads but do not seem to be getting too far which is not surprising with 299 stitches even though it decreases with every row. The picture does not do this justice. This is getting to be massive and I really can not wait to get to shorter rows. I am still at about 250 stitches so it can't be far. I do have one worry which is that this doesn't seem to have an obvious pattern even though I am following a pattern. May be when I can see the whole thing flat and not bunched up on the needles it will look better. We shall have to see. I have made it with Jelly coloured Rowan Kidsilk. Have to say there is a bit of a theme with with textile at the moment I do find it the one I am drawn to the most out of all my collection. Shame Gran didn't have any in her collection.

Back to work tomorrow. There goes another week end. Surprise, Surprise I have not sold the Beret and Bag. I shall pop it on again along with some other stuff and see how that goes. Will keep you updated

My house

Just thought I would let you know I have had 7 hits on my ebay stuff but still no bids. Not feeling to positive about it all but still 7 days to go. No pictures cause I am at work but I have had some good news. Our house has been on the market for ages and some one is coming to look at it tonight who has seen it from the out side and liked it so much they wanted to see the inside. Fingers crossed and we may get some where tonight and I can start to look at new houses.

Started knitting a shawl at the week end. Its bogey green and made from kidsilk. I think its going to be great but it really doesn't look like much at the mo. I will add a picture when I get 10mins tonight

well I never thought I would

I have just put my beret and bag on Ebay to sell. I always wanted to do this but never thought I would do it. Its taken me about 3 hours just to get registered in various places and to post my items. I just hope it works. I am so excited this is what I have put on.

As this took me such a long time to do,

Elvis felt that I should have been spending some time with him so made him self comfortable

New and Old Projects, Some on going

I have at last taken a picture of one of my old projects, The TV Jumper. This has been re-named by Paula and I as this is the jumper to pick up and knit in front of the TV when you don't really want to have to concentrate but you need to keep your hands doing something. Paula has made 3 of these and I am quite behind as I have only made 1 and a half. I love this jumper and would wear it all the time if I could and that is why I have decided to make another one. This one is almost as dark as navy blue with a shocking pink stripe. I am only half way through the back but I am sure I shall show you the finished article.

I friend of mine also from work asked if I would make her a little scarf as she can only find scarfs that are far to long for her so I have now completed this for her in a blueish colour. I have had to take the picture

with the lamp behind so you could see the pattern. I think this is lovely and am now thinking about making a whole shawl I found in a Rowan book. Will let you know what that pans into but here are a few pictures of the blue one

Elvis the monkey

It has been an unusually quiet day and all I have been thinking about is sitting at home knitting or sewing one of my new projects.

I have been boring my friend here in the office with the tales of Elvis and his tail catching. He seems to get fed up with it disturbing him all the time when it flicks and so has to place his paw on it but it never seems to be as easy as that and tries to follow it all around the room. Stupid Cat but Paula has read this blog and says it is missing a picture of Elvis so here is one. He looks so cute here but believe me this is not quite true

Got home tonight in the hope of some knitting and haven't even looked in my sewing box. I had to sort a new mortgage which is nearly done but it has taken me hours to do. Guides tomorrow night and I have no idea what to do with them. Looks like it will be the normal wing it and see.

Just quickly

Just a quickkie, my friend Paula who is a star has photographed some of my knitted things so i thought I would share.

I knitted these for a Christmas fayre for the beginning of December to try to sell some but didn't do to well so I shall attempt it again in the new year

The Start

Well a friend of mine has a blog so I thought I would give it a try. Seems easy so far but I bet I don't keep up with it for long. We shall have to see.

I have attached a picture of my wedding as it seems the best place to start. I have to say I don't like the norm and so married in red as white just seemed to worry me. There were many comments but I loved my dress and still wear it now.

I went to a new years party at my mother and father in laws which was a murder mystery evening. I wore the top part of my dress as I had to play a part of Chastity Darling from the 1900's. You guessed it I had to be flirtaious and busty. Both of which I managed.

My biggest love other than my husband is knitting and sewing and all things crafty. I shall post as much of this as I can over the times ahead. I have to say that at this moment in time I do not have much pictured but I am hoping to change this in the next few weeks.