tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6107516813006921152023-11-15T05:53:34.788-08:00The Wittering KnitterUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger13125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-610751681300692115.post-56133118685267246332014-01-12T13:50:00.000-08:002014-01-15T03:29:49.725-08:00A two and a half year blogging holiday! Part 2Here is my next instalment of the two and a half year update ;)
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<br><b>Craft</b>
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<br>Do you remember the crocheted hexagon blanket that I started a few posts ago? It has been coming along very well although sadly, even after two and a half years, it is not quite finished. It is one of those projects for me that will keep ticking along in the background and I will add to it when I don't have any other significant projects on the go. Here is my progress so far:
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<br>I bought some fabulous alpaca yarn in some amazing colours on a week away in Devon. Here was the outcome, a crocheted patchwork scarf:
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<br>I also love to bake and my all time favourite cake is chocolate and Guinness! It is from a Hummingbird Bakery recipe that is widely available on the internet if you do a little Google search. Here was my first attempt:
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<br>For Christmas 2012 our family had a homemade Christmas so here were some of the things that I made:
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<br>This included a couple of crocheted baby tunics, some mug cosies, a sewn iPhone cover and several glass Christmas decorations. I enjoyed every minute of making these! I baked for the rest of the gifts.
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<br>Mince pies:
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<br>After Eight cupcakes (adapted from a Hummingbird Bakery recipe):
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<br>Chocolate orange cupcakes (also adapted from a Hummingbird Bakery recipe):
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<br>To tie in with the homemade theme for Christmas that year we had a competition for the best nativity representation in play dough. This was my team's efforts and I am happy to say that we won even though someone on our team thought they'd add a pink boa constrictor to the set... :D
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<br><b>Life</b>
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<br>At the end of summer 2011 we visited a vintage funfair and penny arcade with some friends. It was a great day out and totally appealed to my love for everything vintage and retro:
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<br>Apologies for the lighting on the next picture. This was taken at The Alpaca Farm in Devon which is home to a number of alpacas and llamas. We enjoyed our trip here so much that we went twice during our stay! I would love to keep some alpacas one day. A (very) long term dream of mine :)
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<br> Early 2013 saw me flying out to Spain on a three day trip with my sister-in-law. We had a really relaxing time and enjoyed temperatures in the double figures whilst it was still freezing at home. A much needed break that I would definitely repeat in the future. We stayed in a small village just outside of Madrid. It was beautiful:
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<br>I am really enjoying going back over my old photographs and sharing some with you. There's still more to come! So until next time...
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<br>Toodlepip!
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<br>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-610751681300692115.post-74335288483436427842014-01-12T13:12:00.000-08:002014-01-12T13:12:22.517-08:00A two and a half year blogging holiday! Part 1My blogging mojo has returned after a lovely comment on a very old post of mine. Initially I felt awful for taking such a long break from blogging but then I decided to just get back into it :) I am going to try and summarise what has been going on in the last two and a half years. I realise this is too long for one post so I am going to split it into several posts.
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<br><b>Craft</b>
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<br>My love for crochet has grown exponentially and in some sort of timeline order here's what's been going on (the first instalment anyway!):
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<br>Some crocheted slippers for a friend's 30th. This was a free pattern on Ravelry and was incredibly easy. I haven't made any more as they are for small feet but I do hope to adapt the pattern in time.
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<br>This is the start of a new crocheted blanket for another friend who was expecting. This photo was taken in a cafe in the Peak District, UK.
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<br>I really enjoyed working with this yarn. It is Sirdar Calico and is a lovely cotton mix. Here is the completed blanket:
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<br>It was soon realised that my yarn stash was getting out of control and it had no order at all so one afternoon I emptied all of the yarn I could find onto the spare bed and set about organising it. Here is the before picture:
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<br>This was all bagged, labelled and boxed up. Very satisfying!
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<br><b>Life</b>
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<br>Wow! Going back over two and a half years worth of photographs makes selecting key moments very challenging. My first instalment captures autumn/winter 2011 through to summer 2012.
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<br>We spent Christmas 2011 in Canada on Vancouver Island. It was a magical experience as I had never been to Canada before. I was sold with the flight in!
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<br>I have far too many pictures to share here but suffice to say it was truly beautiful:
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<br>I would love to return one day... when we've saved all of our pennies!! On returning home and a few months along we spent a weekend on Exmoor in the UK and visited the Exmoor Owl and Hawk Trust. This is well worth a visit if you are ever in the area. We loved it and will most definitely return again. Here is the view we had whilst we had lunch:
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<br>And here is one of the stunning owls, a barn owl:
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<br>Summer 2012 saw us holidaying in the Peak District. We stayed on a working farm and visited many attractions, mostly wildlife based. Here are a few pictures from our visits.
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<br>A beautiful deer:
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<br>Bottoms up! From a trio of otters:
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<br>An otter who was so full of character:
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<br>A young great grey owl:
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<br>So until next time where I'll give you more crafty and general updates :)
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<br>Toodlepip!
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<br>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-610751681300692115.post-23800012843161304112011-10-25T09:29:00.000-07:002011-10-25T09:29:52.660-07:00Crocheting like crazy!I learnt to crochet many moons ago as a child but that was all I did, just learnt how to do it. Then in my mid-twenties I fancied it again when the surge of kitch and retro inspired blankets hit the shops and made stores like Cath Kidston. I was smitten. So, I embarked on my own blanket... that never quite made it into a blanket... or anything... I still have the squares in a bag... somewhere... Ok, so I'm not painting a great picture of my crochet skills and motivation this far.
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However, something inside me has now clicked and I am loving the crochet! I had to re-teach myself and it took me a few attempts to produce something worthy of display but I got there and I love it! My first project was earlier this year and this was the crocheted hot water bottle cover:
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/dancin_puffin/5482204045/" title="P1000202 by dancin_puffin, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5092/5482204045_8e70b82c21_m.jpg" width="179" height="240" alt="P1000202"></a>
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I was then fired up for more crochet and a good friend of mine was expecting a baby so out came the hook and off I went. Result? A crocheted baby blanket :) I loved doing this. I used Sirdar Snuggly 4-ply in green and lemon with a 2.5mm hook (this was the only one I owned at the time):
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/dancin_puffin/6280353922/" title="baby blanket3 by dancin_puffin, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6048/6280353922_0926dfb65e_m.jpg" width="240" height="232" alt="baby blanket3"></a> <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/dancin_puffin/6280353926/" title="baby blanket4 by dancin_puffin, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6102/6280353926_cf44f1288c_m.jpg" width="240" height="180" alt="baby blanket4"></a>
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By then I was an official crochet addict so I was looking for projects! My next project was a hot water bottle cover ready for the colder nights which are now upon us. This wrked up really quickly and in two short evenings of crochet, it was complete. I used Sirdar Calico DK in muslin, linen and pink with a 4mm hook:
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/dancin_puffin/6280353930/" title="hottie by dancin_puffin, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6058/6280353930_bcd864cff6_m.jpg" width="204" height="240" alt="hottie"></a>
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To my delight another friend announced they were expecting, this meant more crochet! :) I am a nightmare for wanting to try new things. I had done a stripy blanket and now I wanted to try something else. I came across a pattern online (I am afraid I have forgotten where) for a simple sqauare with holes in the diagonals. I mocked up a plan in my head of how big I would have these squares and how I would do the edging. I was away :) The only stumbling point was which colours to choose?? I had a choice of four: white, cream (but very yellowy), green and fawn. Oh the deliberations! My partner was subjected to many conversations of 'what do you think about these two?' 'or these two?' 'or these two?'... Here were the colour choices:
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/dancin_puffin/6279998759/" title="colours by dancin_puffin, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6055/6279998759_dac774d3a1_m.jpg" width="240" height="179" alt="colours"></a>
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Interestingly, I would choose the cream and fawn from this picture, but the cream really is very yellowy in real life and that whole warm and cold colour mix just looked wrong to me. In the end I went for a simple fawn and white and I am really pleased with how it turned out. I went for a simple double crochet/treble crochet/double crochet edging which I think looks simple and smart. I used Sirdar Calico DK in linen and cotton white with a 4mm hook:
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/dancin_puffin/6280353938/" title="baby blanket2 by dancin_puffin, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6211/6280353938_31a7951710_m.jpg" width="240" height="180" alt="baby blanket2"></a> <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/dancin_puffin/6280353942/" title="baby blanket1 by dancin_puffin, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6091/6280353942_95b3b34d47_m.jpg" width="240" height="180" alt="baby blanket1"></a>
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Using the same Sirdar Calico yarn (but in pink) with the same 4mm hook I crocheted a premature baby jacket for a friend's granddaughter who was born too soon. This will be winging it's way to her very soon :) I managed this in two short evenings too. I do enjoy these quick projects :)
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/dancin_puffin/6280353932/" title="prem jacket by dancin_puffin, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6043/6280353932_48bbf9b9bf_m.jpg" width="240" height="180" alt="prem jacket"></a>
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Could I stop there? I think not. I was still on a roll with the crochet. My next completed project was a (dare I say it in October?!) Christmas stocking. Hopefully to redeem myself from my premature excitement of all things festive, you will appreciate the cute factor in this reveal :) I used some cheap (no longer labelled) acrylic yarn that has been in my stash for over five years with a 5mm hook (oh yes, I have lots of hooks now!!):
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/dancin_puffin/6279998795/" title="christmas stocking by dancin_puffin, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6240/6279998795_75f41ffed5_m.jpg" width="179" height="240" alt="christmas stocking"></a>
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So, what's on the hook now? A couple of things... firstly, I am crocheting a blanket for us to keep. I found an awesome pattern over at Lucy's from Attic24 and I was smitten at first glance! Hexagons! Oh how to satisfy a craft loving maths teacher, crocheted symmetry and tessalation, full of mathsy goodness :) My other half is a mathsy-sciencey type so he loves it too. Excellent! I took myself off to the LYS which is in Wells and bought some really lovely yarn and haven't looked back since :) I am using Wendy Norse Chunky in porpoise, eider, fjord, bergen and aurora:
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/dancin_puffin/6279998779/" title="hexagon blanket by dancin_puffin, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6120/6279998779_cc97646a5f_m.jpg" width="240" height="179" alt="hexagon blanket"></a>
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So you may have noticed this is only a four colour hexagon, and you'd be right. The five colours I have chosen lend themselves to creating 120 different colour combinations of hexagons! Bring it on. Yes, ok, in true maths teacher fashion, I already have a spreadsheet for the colour combinations... ok, yes I do also have a diagram in publisher of what that looks like visually too... If anyone wants copies of these let me know in a comment and I'll email these on to you.
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So the question is, after all of that am I still really loving crochet? Oh yes! In fact I love it so much I am wondering what else I can crochet already :) If you've always mainly been a knitter and not ever really given crochet a go, my recommendation is try it, I did and I haven't picked up my knitting needles in months! I know I will again but for now I definitely have the crochet bug :)
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Until next time,
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Toodlepip!
<br>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-610751681300692115.post-87944711645492923652011-10-09T03:17:00.000-07:002011-10-09T07:42:56.325-07:00Boomerang Blogger!It has been a while, a long while... A lot of crafting has happened since I last posted here (beyond knitting too!) but also, a concert in Brussels, a huge road trip to the highlands of Scotland, a new job and a new business venture! I hope this feebly hopes to explain my lack of blogging. <br /><br />So crafting and my blog. I have thought a lot about blogging, why I blog, what I like about reading other people's blogs and if I should change what I write, how I write or whether I should write at all. We're taking nearly five months of deliberations here so for your sake I shall summarise my warblings:<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Why do I blog?</span><br />To share my crafty progress and any other 'interesting' things I've been up to. I also blog to keep in the blogging community as I think it is only fair that if I am reading and enjoying something someone else has taken the time to plan, write and publish then I should put something back into that community for others. <br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">What do I like about reading other people's blogs?</span><br />Pictures! I love seeing pictures, especially of other people's crafty projects. I have been completely inspired by some other bloggers who have single handedly got me into other crafts beyond knitting like crochet and sewing.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Should I change what I write?</span><br />I am not sure, possibly yes. If I like the craftiness of other people's blogs then I am sure that is what other people are most interested in too. Am I right? My blog title suggests you're going to find a whole load of knitting here and errr... hmm...<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Should I change how I write?</span><br />Maybe - perhaps a little and often is better than one huuuuuge post in a blue moon. Posting a little and often may also seem less of an onerous task and might enable me to blog more reqularly.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Should I write at all?</span><br />This is the ultimate blogger's conundrum... I think at the moment, yes. When I blog I do enjoy it. I love receiving comments. It is like receiving something exciting in the post. I know this is linked to blogging more regularly too. <br /><br />I'd be really grateful to hear your thoughts on this conundrum and what keeps you blogging. <br /><br />Hmm, lots of thoughts! As I am hoping to blog more regularly I am going to chunk up my news in different posts so that you don't have to read loads and loads in one go.<br /><br />So, today's post is about my new... sewing machine!! (When we say new, it's new to the blog!) I love it! I wish I was better at it, had more experience with it, knew what projects to play with and all of that but I still love it. My own shiny new sewing machine :)<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/dancin_puffin/6226551598/" title="sewing machine1 by dancin_puffin, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6218/6226551598_dcef5bf584_m.jpg" width="180" height="240" alt="sewing machine1"></a><br /><br />The only project I have tackled so far is revamping my late Nan's sewing box which had certainly seen better days... a long time ago. We need to remember that, apart from you, it is only for my eyes so no-one else will need to be exposed to my rather interesting fabric choice. In truth, I was so excited to have a little project, err... 'little' only in size! It took me a whole day of pinning, tacking, ironing, sewing, ironing, pinning, tacking, ironing, sewing... you get the idea :D<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Before:</span><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/dancin_puffin/6226551582/" title="sewing box before1 by dancin_puffin, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6224/6226551582_227d8572b8_m.jpg" width="240" height="218" alt="sewing box before1"></a> <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/dancin_puffin/6226551588/" title="sewing box before2 by dancin_puffin, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6038/6226551588_10bc8c8848_m.jpg" width="192" height="240" alt="sewing box before2"></a><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">After:</span><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/dancin_puffin/6226551590/" title="sewing box1 by dancin_puffin, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6041/6226551590_1d818ab6ac_m.jpg" width="240" height="219" alt="sewing box1"></a> <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/dancin_puffin/6226577330/" title="sewing box inside1 by dancin_puffin, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6105/6226577330_dc363cafd6_m.jpg" width="208" height="240" alt="sewing box inside1"></a> <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/dancin_puffin/6226551594/" title="sewing box inside by dancin_puffin, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6054/6226551594_869bed9359_m.jpg" width="240" height="180" alt="sewing box inside"></a> <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/dancin_puffin/6226556566/" title="fabric1 by dancin_puffin, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6225/6226556566_15daf3c2c5_m.jpg" width="240" height="180" alt="fabric1"></a> <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/dancin_puffin/6226556568/" title="fabric2 by dancin_puffin, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6117/6226556568_8834be184a_m.jpg" width="240" height="180" alt="fabric2"></a> <br /><br />Did I mention that the lining doesn't quite fit? Guess I omitted to share that. I like to think of it as a labour of love, a project only its creator could love ;) I am just pleased to have completed something. <br /><br />How cute is this little heirloom? It is a minutely crocheted mexican hat that houses a thimble and the brim serves as a handy little needle store :)<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/dancin_puffin/6226556552/" title="sewing mexican hat by dancin_puffin, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6114/6226556552_0aa600a255_m.jpg" width="240" height="193" alt="sewing mexican hat"></a><br /><br />More inspiration has followed since this project and that was largely down to a recent trip to <a href="http://milliemoonshop.co.uk/">Millie Moon</a>, a new sewing shop that has opened in Wells (a beautiful cathedral market town in Somerset). I walked in to the newly opened store and I felt like a child in a sweet shop! Everything was beautiful and waiting to be picked up, looked at, touched. The shop is crisp and ordered and full of fabricy goodness. I can't wait to go back with a project in mind and purchase my supplies :) They have another shop in Frome, Somerset and they have a sewing school there! I have been oggling over the list of classes, I am looking forward to taking the plunge. Meet this little dude who came home with me from my visit:<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/dancin_puffin/6226556554/" title="measuring tape owl1 by dancin_puffin, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6117/6226556554_5a3307f6b7_m.jpg" width="235" height="240" alt="measuring tape owl1"></a> <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/dancin_puffin/6226556558/" title="measuring tape owl2 by dancin_puffin, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6174/6226556558_8aa5db39a9_m.jpg" width="240" height="162" alt="measuring tape owl2"></a><br /><br />Oh yes, something seemingly just cute and of no purpose actually has a purpose for every crafter! :)<br /><br />Keeping on the sewing theme, I must tell you about my blogging buddy from Australia. Check out her <a href="http://frazzydazzles.com/">Frazzy Dazzles</a> blog and have a read - it is full of sew-y delights. It is extra specially exciting at the moment though as she has recently had a crafty article published in a magazine! There is a give away on her blog at the moment to celebrate her crafty/writing success :) I am sure she won't mind me reposting one of her pictures to get you in the mood for a visit to her blog :)<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/dancin_puffin/6226602034/" title="frazzy dazzles by dancin_puffin, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6056/6226602034_dfa523ac8c_m.jpg" width="240" height="180" alt="frazzy dazzles"></a><br /><br />So, until next time...<br /><br />Toodlepip!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-610751681300692115.post-21195191322637092722011-05-17T13:20:00.000-07:002011-05-17T14:04:46.002-07:00Paradisiacal!Paradisiacal?? Yes, it's a new word in my blogging vocabulary, it means: of, relating to, or resembling paradise! It pretty much describes how things have been around here since I last posted. That is, if we take work out of the mix but then we work to live, right?? And living is what it's about, so let me show you what's been going on in the world of a wittering knitter...<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/dancin_puffin/5677506396/" title="beach huts by dancin_puffin, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5266/5677506396_914d837f2e_m.jpg" width="240" height="177" alt="beach huts"></a> <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/dancin_puffin/5676991227/" title="lamposts by dancin_puffin, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5266/5676991227_00e0d5bbfa_m.jpg" width="240" height="180" alt="lamposts"></a> <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/dancin_puffin/5677008395/" title="patio by dancin_puffin, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5026/5677008395_dcf9be798b_m.jpg" width="180" height="240" alt="patio"></a><br /><br />I was whisked off for a lovely weekend away with my man for a significant birthday that I celebrated in March. We went to Lyme Regis on the south coast of England and stayed inland in a small rural village. It was absolutely delightful. We visited <a href="http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/main/w-vh/w-visits/w-findaplace/w-montacute/">Montacute House</a> in Somerset which is just stunning. It featured in the film of Sense and Sensibility (the one with Emma Thompson and Kate Winslet). <br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/dancin_puffin/5676991243/" title="montacute1 by dancin_puffin, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5023/5676991243_44058c835e_m.jpg" width="240" height="180" alt="montacute1"></a> <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/dancin_puffin/5676991249/" title="montacute2 by dancin_puffin, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5150/5676991249_b497321c7d_m.jpg" width="240" height="180" alt="montacute2"></a> <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/dancin_puffin/5677008357/" title="montacute5 by dancin_puffin, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5181/5677008357_4b74126270_m.jpg" width="180" height="240" alt="montacute5"></a> <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/dancin_puffin/5677008349/" title="montacute4 by dancin_puffin, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5267/5677008349_ea10b0debf_m.jpg" width="180" height="240" alt="montacute4"></a> <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/dancin_puffin/5677008203/" title="montacute3 by dancin_puffin, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5023/5677008203_e412b80a8e_m.jpg" width="240" height="180" alt="montacute3"></a><br /><br />These were the flowers in the room when I arrived (that Mr. Lovely had arranged for me!):<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/dancin_puffin/5677506440/" title="birthday flowers by dancin_puffin, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5025/5677506440_3bbe837e63_m.jpg" width="240" height="180" alt="birthday flowers"></a><br /><br />When we returned I was thrown a family birthday party and they invited some interesting guests...<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/dancin_puffin/5677506454/" title="birthday table by dancin_puffin, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5186/5677506454_69517e7f05_m.jpg" width="180" height="240" alt="birthday table"></a><br /><br />:)<br /><br />Mum and my step-Dad keep chickens and these are their latest additions:<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/dancin_puffin/5676991207/" title="chicks by dancin_puffin, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5026/5676991207_8be6c9a93f_m.jpg" width="193" height="240" alt="chicks"></a><br /><br />So cute!!! They're a real motley crew of all sorts, this one at the front has been called Spike (from the Gremlins with the bleached blonde tufty hair!).<br /><br />For my birthday my partner's brother and his wife bought me a bird box and a bird table and they are already in full use. In fact we already have tenants in the bird box and they've even started a family already! Hopefully I'll have pics of the little babies soon :)<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/dancin_puffin/5677506410/" title="bird bath by dancin_puffin, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5146/5677506410_da08431589_m.jpg" width="180" height="240" alt="bird bath"></a> <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/dancin_puffin/5677506426/" title="bird box2 by dancin_puffin, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5066/5677506426_52cfd3e424_m.jpg" width="180" height="240" alt="bird box2"></a> <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/dancin_puffin/5677506418/" title="bird box by dancin_puffin, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5145/5677506418_43e2b70ae7_m.jpg" width="224" height="240" alt="bird box"></a> <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/dancin_puffin/5677008369/" title="nest by dancin_puffin, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5061/5677008369_edc926d852_m.jpg" width="180" height="240" alt="nest"></a><br /><br />The weather has been wonderful of late and the wisteria in full bloom was just beautiful:<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/dancin_puffin/5677663470/" title="wisteria by dancin_puffin, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5303/5677663470_ef759465c2_m.jpg" width="181" height="240" alt="wisteria"></a><br /><br />We've already had a number of barbecues and we look forward to many more as the summer approaches :)<br /><br />I hope to be back soon with more pictures, including my main birthday present from Mr. Lovely and a very useful crafty investment from my Mum!<br /><br />Until next time,<br /><br />Toodlepip!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-610751681300692115.post-65114073045065187872011-02-28T15:16:00.000-08:002011-02-28T15:42:47.153-08:00Stitch CrazyHere is a little bundle all packed up and ready to go. Do you remember the little blue baby jacket from my last post? Here is the parcel before I wrapped it up in brown paper and sent it to the little fella who has been promised this gift for some months now. <br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/dancin_puffin/5482204035/" title="P1000201 by dancin_puffin, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5135/5482204035_9b062ef637_m.jpg" width="235" height="240" alt="P1000201" /></a><br /><br />I liked the look of it so much I was almost tempted to unwrap it myself (even though I knew what was inside it!) :)<br /><br />I have been stitching like crazy recently...<br /><br />Here is the finished crocheted hot water bottle cover (with help from Lucy's <a href="http://attic24.typepad.com/weblog/granny-stripe.html">granny stripe tutorial</a>):<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/dancin_puffin/5482204045/" title="P1000202 by dancin_puffin, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5092/5482204045_8e70b82c21_m.jpg" width="179" height="240" alt="P1000202" /></a><br /><br />It didn't turn out quite how I had planned but I like it all the same. I 'treble clustered' around the edge to secure the two pieces together and then followed Cassie's <a href="http://yougogirl.typepad.com/you_go_girl/2010/03/crochet-like-crazy.html">tutorial</a> on scalloped edging! I'm loving the crochet and can't wait to start a new project I have in mind... more on that one another time :)<br /><br />This hot water bottle cover was going to be the first yarny thing that I've ever made for myself... but I just can't help myself... it will be going to a very good friend of mine when she comes to visit this weekend. Life has thrown her some challenges of late and I think she needs a little pink and green hot water bottle right now :)<br /><br />What else have I been up to? I have finished the first premature baby jacket! :) Do you remember <a href="http://witteringknitter.blogspot.com/2011/01/sitting-knitting.html">the one</a> that looked a little strange on the needles? Well here it is:<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/dancin_puffin/5482204053/" title="P1000204 by dancin_puffin, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5100/5482204053_4f3ee83777_m.jpg" width="240" height="118" alt="P1000204" /></a><br /><br />I have contacted PreemiesUK and also local hospitals to find out where I should send donations. It turns out the demand is huge for this sort of charity knitting. If any of you are interested but don't know where to start, please leave me a comment and I'll do my best to help. I just think it is such a great cause. I end up helping others by doing something I enjoy - everyone's a winner, surely?! :)<br /><br />Signing off for now as it's a 'school night' and I've just spent two and a half hours online sorting out my car insurance renewal! :O Just as well I have blogging and yarn to keep me sane (oh yes, and a lovely fella who was actually the one who suggested I did some blogging tonight to cheer myself up!) :)<br /><br />Until next time,<br /><br />Toodlepip!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-610751681300692115.post-70631906641306644962011-02-21T11:56:00.000-08:002011-02-21T13:32:32.135-08:00Crafty GoodnessBefore I show you what I have been crafting I have a few home pics for you. Firstly, my favourite little birds that visit the bird feeders are long-tailed tits. Seriously, how cute are these little fellas? :)<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/dancin_puffin/5465422661/" title="Long tailed tit by dancin_puffin, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5014/5465422661_291a082c7f_m.jpg" width="218" height="240" alt="Long tailed tit" /></a><br /><br />They hang around in gangs, we often have eight of them at once. It is known that they will all help to look after the young of the gang so not only are they cute but they are caring little fellas too. Bless!<br /><br />Valentine's day saw the addition of a new friend to The Wittering Knitter's abode. My lovely man bought her for me :) Just check out her wellies:<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/dancin_puffin/5465422667/" title="Deidre's wellies by dancin_puffin, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5174/5465422667_aa4d4767c7_m.jpg" width="240" height="227" alt="Deidre's wellies" /></a><br />Wouldn't you love a pair?? I think they're fab :)<br /><br />These wellies belong to Deidre the duck who was a little shy to begin with during the photo shoot:<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/dancin_puffin/5465422673/" title="Deidre in the tulips and daffs by dancin_puffin, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5131/5465422673_2f5e469072_m.jpg" width="240" height="232" alt="Deidre in the tulips and daffs" /></a><br />Deidre peering over the tulips and daffs<br /><br />She still wanted to be in the photos but she didn't like the close-ups. Here are some flowers in a teapot (with Deidre). I ran out of vases and never use this teapot so I thought it would look great when these daffs come out:<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/dancin_puffin/5465422685/" title="A teapot of flowers and Deidre by dancin_puffin, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5016/5465422685_aaeb498c75_m.jpg" width="187" height="240" alt="A teapot of flowers and Deidre" /></a><br /><br />I did promise you some crafty goodness so here we go... do you remember my post about the <a href="http://witteringknitter.blogspot.com/2011/01/bits-and-bobs.html">blue knitted baby jacket</a>...? Well, it is finished! The buttons have been bought and sewn on and it is all ready to be sent off in the post tomorrow to a young man who is eagerly waiting its arrival (it has been promised for a while now!). I wasn't sure how to photograph the hood so I've included a few variations :)<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/dancin_puffin/5465422695/" title="Baby jacket and Deidre by dancin_puffin, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5095/5465422695_afc134cd15_m.jpg" width="178" height="240" alt="Baby jacket and Deidre" /></a> <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/dancin_puffin/5465431239/" title="Baby jacket and Deidre by dancin_puffin, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5012/5465431239_d0e2214b45_m.jpg" width="151" height="240" alt="Baby jacket and Deidre" /></a><br /><br />I fell in love with these buttons, I really wanted wooden ones and I love Snoopy. I am sure the little guy who is to receive this jacket won't be too bothered but I think his parents will approve:<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/dancin_puffin/5465431241/" title="Snoopy button by dancin_puffin, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5059/5465431241_e0abe7bfc4_m.jpg" width="240" height="180" alt="Snoopy button" /></a><br /><br />During my search for buttons I came across some that I made a year or so ago:<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/dancin_puffin/5465431245/" title="Handmade children's buttons in a Japanese fabric by dancin_puffin, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5055/5465431245_254146d7e0_m.jpg" width="240" height="225" alt="Handmade children's buttons in a Japanese fabric" /></a> <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/dancin_puffin/5465431251/" title="Handmade children's buttons in a Japanese fabric by dancin_puffin, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5053/5465431251_7a0625b041_m.jpg" width="240" height="158" alt="Handmade children's buttons in a Japanese fabric" /></a><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/dancin_puffin/5465431255/" title="Handmade green buttons by dancin_puffin, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5218/5465431255_921d65f9cb_m.jpg" width="240" height="171" alt="Handmade green buttons" /></a> <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/dancin_puffin/5465431259/" title="Handmade pink gingham buttons by dancin_puffin, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5140/5465431259_e911a009d2_m.jpg" width="240" height="166" alt="Handmade pink gingham buttons" /></a><br />The colours haven't come out very well as the light here hasn't been very good lately but the gingham ones are fuchsia pink!<br /><br />As I have been on a bit of a knitting frenzy trying to finish baby jackets and jumpers I decided to try my hand at a bit of crochet. I haven't done very much crochet at all so I wanted to start on a small scale. I decided on a hot water bottle cover and I've been amazed at how quickly the fabric grows compared to knitting. I have to credit <a href="http://attic24.typepad.com/weblog/granny-stripe.html">Lucy from Attic24</a> for her tutorial on granny stripes. Without that I would have made a jumbled mess I can assure you! Here is one half of the hot water bottle cover:<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/dancin_puffin/5465439801/" title="Crocheted hot water bottle cover by dancin_puffin, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5138/5465439801_c5ca00ecb6_m.jpg" width="180" height="240" alt="Crocheted hot water bottle cover" /></a><br /><br />Again, the colours haven't come out terribly well but I think you probably get the jist :)<br /><br />I hope to have some more crafty delights for you soon, especially as it is half term for the schools around here so I am looking forward to a few days off relaxing in front of the fire.<br /><br />Have a great week.<br /><br />Until next time,<br /><br />Toodlepip!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-610751681300692115.post-70195084582840598692011-02-16T14:19:00.000-08:002011-02-16T15:00:27.538-08:00Regal Spring ValentineSorry for the prolonged absence. I've been pondering what to write for weeks now. Do you ever get 'blogger's block'? I'm going to let my pictures do most of the talking today.<br /><br />Here are some pictures that I took from a recent weekend away to Stratford-upon-Avon. For those of you who might not know this, Stratford is where William Shakespeare was born, it is a delightful English town full of character and beautiful old timber fronted buildings:<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/dancin_puffin/5451434501/" title="Interesting Timber Work by dancin_puffin, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4077/5451434501_2c3177ff4f_m.jpg" width="150" height="240" alt="Interesting Timber Work" /></a><br />Check out this timber work!<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/dancin_puffin/5451434511/" title="Old House by dancin_puffin, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4075/5451434511_633afddbb1_m.jpg" width="240" height="153" alt="Old House" /></a><br />A beautiful old house<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/dancin_puffin/5451441853/" title="Old House by dancin_puffin, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5137/5451441853_40547016df_m.jpg" width="240" height="171" alt="Old House" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/dancin_puffin/5451434505/" title="Bank Stratford by dancin_puffin, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4077/5451434505_80a5abda4e_m.jpg" width="203" height="240" alt="Bank Stratford" /></a><br />The bank! How cool?!<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/dancin_puffin/5451441867/" title="Bank Stonework by dancin_puffin, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5252/5451441867_7107fbd1c9_m.jpg" width="240" height="115" alt="Bank Stonework" /></a><br />A closeup of some of the bank's stonework - nice!<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/dancin_puffin/5451441877/" title="Bank Stonework by dancin_puffin, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5132/5451441877_78b15f2f25_m.jpg" width="240" height="146" alt="Bank Stonework" /></a><br />Just beautiful!<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/dancin_puffin/5451434495/" title="Sheep Street by dancin_puffin, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4102/5451434495_1522084900_m.jpg" width="240" height="46" alt="Sheep Street" /></a><br />There was actually a street called Sheep Street!! :)<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/dancin_puffin/5451441859/" title="Street Light by dancin_puffin, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5095/5451441859_f5800ba5c5_m.jpg" width="148" height="240" alt="Street Light" /></a><br />The street lights were amazing, they reminded me of something from 'The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe'! :)<br /><br />While we were in the area we visited a National Trust property called Baddesley Clinton. It was exquisite - a definite must if you are ever in the area:<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/dancin_puffin/5451441883/" title="Baddesley Clinton by dancin_puffin, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5133/5451441883_3dc50ef5a7_m.jpg" width="240" height="180" alt="Baddesley Clinton" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/dancin_puffin/5451441889/" title="Baddesley Clinton by dancin_puffin, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5253/5451441889_13b91bef14_m.jpg" width="240" height="134" alt="Baddesley Clinton" /></a><br /><br />We also visited Warwick Castle which is a fantastic place (if a little expensive). There really is so much there. I did joke as we went around asking if there would be anything to do with knitting, crochet or sewing... funnily enough, we came across a reinactment room where the ladies were sewing!! Brilliant!! There actually was something for everyone :)<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/dancin_puffin/5452058428/" title="Warwick Castle by dancin_puffin, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5137/5452058428_cd793575f8_m.jpg" width="240" height="161" alt="Warwick Castle" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/dancin_puffin/5452079296/" title="Warwick Castle by dancin_puffin, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5178/5452079296_38ec3d1c9d_m.jpg" width="240" height="180" alt="Warwick Castle" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/dancin_puffin/5452058690/" title="Boat House by dancin_puffin, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4079/5452058690_80270ec40b_m.jpg" width="240" height="180" alt="Boat House" /></a><br />A boat house that I was fascinated by.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/dancin_puffin/5452058694/" title="Conservatory by dancin_puffin, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5052/5452058694_90c955ae5c_m.jpg" width="240" height="148" alt="Conservatory" /></a><br />A beautiful conservatory with peacock topiary trees! :) I was several hundred metres away, I was just taking advantage of my whizzy 12x optical zoom :)<br /><br />There were some beautiful peacocks and peahens there too:<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/dancin_puffin/5452058686/" title="Peacock by dancin_puffin, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5059/5452058686_07469c5e37_m.jpg" width="240" height="76" alt="Peacock" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/dancin_puffin/5452058440/" title="Peacock by dancin_puffin, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5257/5452058440_aef4011041_m.jpg" width="148" height="240" alt="Peacock" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/dancin_puffin/5452058436/" title="Peahen by dancin_puffin, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5051/5452058436_6d31024a5c_m.jpg" width="240" height="168" alt="Peahen" /></a><br /><br />In these last few weeks we've noticed a definite change in the weather and the plants around us, I think spring is officially on its way! :) I LOVE spring! It is my favourite season by far. I love Easter time and my birthday is in spring too. I love the colours, the new growth in all of the plants and the brighter and warmer days. I am really looking forward to spring in our new house. When we came back from work today we were talking about where the garden furniture is going to go in the garden and where we're going to hang the washing line - I am in domestic bliss! :)<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/dancin_puffin/5451434487/" title="Sky and Trees by dancin_puffin, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5017/5451434487_b08228fbcb_m.jpg" width="240" height="180" alt="Sky and Trees" /></a><br />A beautiful blue sky! Yipee! It was 16 degrees celcius here last weekend - I hope this is a sign of spring on its way :)<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/dancin_puffin/5451434493/" title="Coal Tit by dancin_puffin, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4079/5451434493_64b112a4e6_m.jpg" width="222" height="240" alt="Coal Tit" /></a><br />Our faithful little Coal Tit (that I keep mistyping as a Cola Tit!!)<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/dancin_puffin/5452079302/" title="Snowdrops by dancin_puffin, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4146/5452079302_2aa4e39247_m.jpg" width="187" height="240" alt="Snowdrops" /></a><br />Stunning snowdrops<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/dancin_puffin/5452079306/" title="Crocuses... Croci? ;) by dancin_puffin, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5217/5452079306_c5a64030ba_m.jpg" width="240" height="203" alt="Crocuses... Croci? ;)" /></a><br />Colourful crocuses (croci?) ;)<br /><br />I drew my partner a Valentine's picture :) We're both into birds and we're going to put up a bird box this weekend and we already have a dovecote so this seemed perfect:<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/dancin_puffin/5452079312/" title="Valentine's Card by dancin_puffin, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5056/5452079312_54c473b902_m.jpg" width="240" height="237" alt="Valentine's Card" /></a><br /><br />I have been busy knitting and crocheting so I hope to have some yarny pictures for you soon. Thank you for dropping by, please leave a comment to let me know you've been :)<br /><br />Until next time,<br /><br />Toodlepip!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-610751681300692115.post-20448933747664036222011-01-14T11:24:00.000-08:002011-01-14T13:04:24.890-08:00Tweetie birds, a birdwatch and more knittingAnother week over, where does the time go? I am a bit naughty to say that really as I don't work Fridays!! :O I work longer hours earlier in the week to compensate but I do love the long weekends. <br /><br />Today was an eventful one for different reasons. The tickets to see Yusuf Islam (was Cat Stevens) arrived. I am very excited about going to see him later in the year. I have been a fan since I was a kid and although he is not touring in the UK he is in Europe so it means a trip abroad in June, oh shucks, well I guess one must ;) There may be another trip on the cards for the summer which is mega exciting. I am looking forward to lots of things this year :)<br /><br />I had some dental work done earlier today so I came straight home and slept off the anaesthetic and watched the birds in the garden from the 'bird cinema' :) I tried a bit of knitting but only managed about four rows. That was when I realised it was time to sleep it off. Feeling loads better now though :)<br /><br />So what did the bird cinema have on today? We had:<br /><br />"Batman & Robin" (didn't see much of Batman though...)<br />"Into the Blue" Tit<br />"The Great (Tit) Escape"<br />"The Long (Tailed Tit) Kiss Goodnight"<br />Atticus (Chaf)Finch in "To Kill a Mocking Bird"<br />"The Wings of the (Collared) Dove"<br />"Star(ling) Wars"<br />Jack Sparrow in "Pirates of the Carribbean"<br />"Bye Bye Blackbird"<br /><br />I have some shots of these for you. Please excuse the fairly dodgy camera work... that'll be me!! The lighting isn't great around here at the moment and I was taking them through a window... I'm pretty sure that would be one of the first Do Nots of photography... But here goes:<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/dancin_puffin/5355310210/" title="starling2 by dancin_puffin, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5206/5355310210_2169e7e4bb_m.jpg" width="240" height="209" alt="starling2" /></a> <br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/dancin_puffin/5354691723/" title="starling by dancin_puffin, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5246/5354691723_8e7dbf7b14_m.jpg" width="240" height="180" alt="starling" /></a> <br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/dancin_puffin/5354691711/" title="robins by dancin_puffin, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5202/5354691711_a4460183e4_m.jpg" width="240" height="168" alt="robins" /></a> <br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/dancin_puffin/5354691709/" title="long_tailed_tits by dancin_puffin, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5289/5354691709_057f45b0d9_m.jpg" width="194" height="240" alt="long_tailed_tits" /></a> <br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/dancin_puffin/5354691707/" title="chaffinch by dancin_puffin, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5243/5354691707_6a4a4c1e91_m.jpg" width="240" height="153" alt="chaffinch" /></a> <br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/dancin_puffin/5354691705/" title="blue_tit_sparrow by dancin_puffin, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5207/5354691705_579bd79ef5_m.jpg" width="240" height="223" alt="blue_tit_sparrow" /></a> <br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/dancin_puffin/5354691699/" title="blue_tit by dancin_puffin, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5006/5354691699_9301e97e52_m.jpg" width="240" height="150" alt="blue_tit" /></a><br /><br />In the UK, the RSPB (Royal Society for the Protection of Birds) is running the <a href="http://www.rspb.org.uk/birdwatch/">Big Garden Birdwatch</a> on the weekend of 29th and 30th of January. You only need to do an hour over the entire weekend but if you register beforehand they'll send you a pack and you get 10% off bird food from them. No prizes for guessing that I'm already signed up and very excited about the prospect :) I'm already planning the cups of tea and cake situation for the event :) My other half is into the birds as well so we'll be booking our seats in the bird cinema for that weekend. Excellent!<br /><br />If you want to see a funny bird video clip, <a href="http://www.rspb.org.uk/">check this out</a> and click watch video :) Also, have any of you seen a tv series called 'Walk on the Wildside'? They personify animals (something I'm eternally guilty for) and it does make me laugh. I love <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=THrpJSstWZ8">this bird one</a>. :D<br /><br />I promised a knitting update and I apologise again for the lack of photos but they will be coming soon, I promise. I had a few hours to kill in the week so I took myself off to a local cafe with money for a coffee in one hand and my knitting in the other :) The guy who owns the cafe came over and said in the 20 years he's owned cafes no-one has ever knitted in one! I said I found that hard to believe but he said it was true. The cafe was moderately busy and within next to no time everyone was talking about knitting, how they learnt, whether their mothers had knitted... and so on... I couldn't believe my knitting presence would ever have had that effect. I felt a bit bad because I had my ipod and just wanted to get on with some knitting but people just wanted to keep talking about what I was doing or what they had made etc. I did talk to people as I am a friendly type but I couldn't help feeling when I left that I wasn't sure if I'd go back as it wasn't quite what I was after. Does that sound awful? <br /><br />I have a busy but exciting weekend ahead of visitors and lovely food to cook. I've also done an online food delivery for tomorrow so that I don't have to mission it around the shops inbetween seeing different people. I am strangely excited about its arrival :) Hope you all have a lovely weekend.<br /><br />Until next time,<br /><br />Toodlepip!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-610751681300692115.post-24706985617237593232011-01-09T11:16:00.000-08:002011-01-09T11:37:59.526-08:00Lights, camera, action!"You don't take a photograph, you ask, quietly, to borrow it." (Author unknown)<br /><br />I have a new camera! :) It is a Panasonic DMC-TZ10 and although I am only just starting to find my way around with it I am enjoying every minute! I was in the 'bird cinema' earlier (the far end of the lounge where we've turned around one of the sofas to face the patio doors for viewing purposes) and I took a couple of snaps of a great tit. <br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/dancin_puffin/5340244558/" title="Great Tit 1 by dancin_puffin, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5088/5340244558_d26337a5fc_m.jpg" width="173" height="240" alt="Great Tit 1" /></a> <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/dancin_puffin/5340244574/" title="Great Tit 2 by dancin_puffin, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5169/5340244574_28e14e9023_m.jpg" width="188" height="240" alt="Great Tit 2" /></a><br /><br />Today we have seen: blue tits, great tits, coal tits, long-tailed tits, dunnocks, robins, collared doves, starlings and blackbirds in the garden. I also think I saw a great spotted woodpecker though it didn't stay around long enough for me to get a good look. I am hoping (s)he will return so that it ceases to be a UFO! ;)<br /><br />Staying on the bird theme, here is a little ditty about a pelican that I found and made me smile:<br /><br />A wonderful bird is the pelican<br />His bill will hold more than his belican.<br />He can take in his beak<br />Food enough for a week,<br />But I'm damned if I see how the helican<br />(Dixon Lanier Merritt)<br /><br />Just a little post today as I'm exhausted after a busy weekend. More knitting updates in the next post. Looking forward to next weekend already though :) Have a great week.<br /><br />Until next time,<br /><br />Toodlepip!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-610751681300692115.post-89450174813670199792011-01-07T02:56:00.000-08:002011-01-07T11:37:43.036-08:00Sitting KnittingFirst week back at work, done! What a stark contrast between sitting and knitting in front of the fire over the holidays! :D Glad it's the weekend now.<br /><br />So, given all this time I spent sitting and knitting, what was I up to?? (Apart from the inevitable starting of new projects without finishing others first!) All you knitters out there, how satisfying is it to cast on a new project with a lovely new ball of yarn? And if you've had to buy new needles for the project as well, even better! :) I have finished a few projects though, a beanie hat:<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/dancin_puffin/5332293773/" title="Beanie Hat by dancin_puffin, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5087/5332293773_11ed5765be_m.jpg" width="240" height="205" alt="Beanie Hat" /></a><br /><br />I knitted this in Debbie Bliss Cashmerino Aran in shade 028 (charcoal). I used this pattern for the <a href="http://web.archive.org/web/20080507070256/http://treecrabby.typepad.com/photos/patterns/dublin2.html">Dublin Beanie</a>. I modified the pattern after reading reviews on Ravelry that the hat seemed snug for a man. I used straight needles then used mattress stitch to do an invisible seam at the back at the end. I also increased the number of stitches by 10% and added in an extra couple of rows when decreasing to keep the hat in proportion. It turns out it is a perfect fit! :) The only modification I'd make next time is to increase the number of rib rows around the rim as it seems to want a slightly chunkier rim. The next time will be soon as I've just ordered two balls of Debbie Bliss Cashmerino Aran in shade chocolate.<br /><br />I made two ipod cosies following an owl pattern on Ravelry. If you'd like to find it, search for 'owl ipod' under patterns and it'll come up. It is very clever and looks like an owl just from a few cable stitches - nice! Unfortunately I didn't take any photos before I gave them away as presents. I will probably make some more at some point, and if I do I'll be sure to take pictires and post them.<br /><br />I mentioned in my last post that I'm hoping to take on an extended knitting project this year. To give you the preamble, my cousin gave birth very prematurely about 18 months ago. Baby and Mum are both well but the early days were difficult for both of them. As a family we felt so helpless so we contributed where we could with clothes. I have a magazine subscription to 'Knitting' and in there they regularly write about a charity called <a href="http://www.bliss.org.uk">Bliss</a>. Bliss's moto is 'for babies born too soon, too small, too sick'. I read up on what I could do... knit!! There are patterns available on their website and there are many premie patterns available for free on Ravelry. I am using a Debbie Bliss pattern in garter stitch. It has knitted up really quickly and is almost finished. It is in a lovely soft lemon yarn (Sirdar Snuggly 4ply). The yarns have to be soft, non-irritable and washable. I am hoping to complete a load of these and send them off. Watch this space for more Bliss charity knitting action! If any of you are interested but you're not sure what to do, let me know and I'll try and help. Here is my little jacket so far (ok, so it doesn't look like a jacket yet as each panel/sleeve is knitted separately and then a yoke joins them all, this is what I'm doing now):<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/dancin_puffin/5332293777/" title="Premie Baby Jumper by dancin_puffin, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5202/5332293777_30a9941282_m.jpg" width="240" height="106" alt="Premie Baby Jumper" /></a><br /><br />The sleeves are big so that little arms don't struggle getting in. The yoke method is used to avoid unnecessary seams for fragile little ones to be leaning on. I do feel that although I can't help the sick babies directly I can hopefully bring some comfort and warmth to them.<br /><br />I have a weekend of food, wine, fires, knitting and puzzles planned with a small trip into town tomorrow. Hope you all have a relaxing weekend.<br /><br />Until next time,<br /><br />Toodlepip!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-610751681300692115.post-54392740515435100692011-01-04T12:41:00.000-08:002011-01-04T13:10:07.936-08:00Bits and bobsIt it so lovely to be back on the blogging scene, getting back in touch with my old blogging buddies and also meeting new ones already! :) Thank you for your supportive comments on my first post and I look forward to writing many more posts for you to read over the coming year and beyond.<br /><br />As I still don't have a camera (yet!) and my new phone is a temporary downgrade until my contract is up I have been digging through my old pictures to try and find some interseting things. Firstly, I spent a lot of time in a seaside town called Clevedon last year. I love it there. Here are some of the lovely views I snapped whilst I was there:<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/dancin_puffin/5325009400/" title="Clevedon by dancin_puffin, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5205/5325009400_4505b4953f_m.jpg" width="240" height="180" alt="Clevedon" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/dancin_puffin/5325009404/" title="Clevedon by dancin_puffin, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5085/5325009404_6ea5a29779_m.jpg" width="240" height="180" alt="Clevedon" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/dancin_puffin/5325009408/" title="Clevedon by dancin_puffin, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5045/5325009408_d7a2373090_m.jpg" width="240" height="180" alt="Clevedon" /></a><br /><br />Why wouldn't you love it there?? The sunsets are dreamy and it is really peaceful.<br /><br />A good friend of mine had a baby last year and I managed to knit (what I believed to be) a unisex jumper in newborn size in time for the little one's arrival. As it turned out it did seem more boyish and luckily they had a boy! :D I really enjoyed knitting it and it really got me to grips with seaming which I hadn't done much of before.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/dancin_puffin/5325009416/" title="baby jumper by dancin_puffin, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5090/5325009416_97b4ee43a6_m.jpg" width="180" height="240" alt="baby jumper" /></a><br /><br />I have another baby jacket on the go at the moment (for a different friend). Here are the old pics of it:<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/dancin_puffin/2900947879/" title="baby jacket update by dancin_puffin, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3065/2900947879_5c6fc19ffb_m.jpg" width="180" height="240" alt="baby jacket update" /></a><br /><br />I have almost finished it so I look forward to posting an updated picture soon (hopefully with the new camera!).<br /><br />There are a few other knitting projects I have on the go which I will tell you all about in my next post. I have also given myself a knitting task this year which I hope will come to fruition...<br /><br />So until next time,<br /><br />Toodlepip!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-610751681300692115.post-63192007800603246562011-01-02T14:24:00.000-08:002011-01-02T15:07:39.242-08:00New decade, new blog!Happy New Year!<br /><br />Some of you may have followed me in 2008-2009 as Dancin' Puffin. If you did, hello again! :) If you are new to my ramblings, welcome and I hope you enjoy.<br /><br />If you know me of old you may have wondered what happened, did I disappear off the face of the earth? Did I fall into a big hole somewhere? Did I get lost in the vast world of cyberspace? Well, life kind of just happened to me for about a year but I'm shrugging off the old and getting on with the new now. <br /><br />A very good friend of mine suggested that I start blogging again, I thought about it for a while and thought yes, I definitely should. I loved blogging and following you all and reading about your wonderful adventures and crafting antics. So, here I am!<br /><br />Life is very different for me now and if you keep reading I'm sure you will learn of all the new things in my life. Some things haven't changed. I am still knitting and cooking and enjoying the country life.<br /><br />So, what's new around here? Snow! Boy did we have a lot of snow here in the lead up to Christmas. We had about 8-10 inches which for Somerest in the UK is quite a lot. Being about 3 miles from the nearest main road and up a hill limited any chance of getting out and about for about a week. I secretly relished the opportunity to be snowed in for a whole week in the lead up to Christmas. I knitted, cooked, wrapped presents and even made some presents (as I was unable to get to any shops!). It was my idea of home heaven :) Here was the view from the landing window:<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/dancin_puffin/5317891600/" title="snowy view by dancin_puffin, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5086/5317891600_d9eb2c9e84_m.jpg" width="240" height="180" alt="snowy view" /></a><br /><br />Christmas and New Year were very quiet around here. Food, wine, games and puzzles galore. Again, just what was required! :) Christmas gifts this year included mainly bird feeders and knitting stuff. I have been in my element!<br /><br />I am really into wildlife and I love garden birds. So far in the garden I have seen: blue tits, great tits, robins, wrens, magpies, chaffinches, long tailed tits, starlings, blackbirds (Mr & Mrs), red wings, coal tits, dunnocks and a collared dove! This list has only been going for two months so I am sure as we move into spring this list will grow. I will keep you updated and hopefully, when I get my new camera (!), I will also be able to post some pictures.<br /><br />The new camera is an exciting prospect. I am still researching and asking relevant experts for advice but I hope to have one by the end of the month. Then I'll be able to post better pictures on here.<br /><br />I seem to be lacking in pictures on this first post so I am going to share a picture with you that I love and have had for a long time on my computer. I am not sure where it came from but I love the vintage nature of it:<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/dancin_puffin/5317891606/" title="vintage cartoon by dancin_puffin, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5121/5317891606_987af5813b_m.jpg" width="229" height="240" alt="vintage cartoon" /></a><br /><br />That's all from me today. I hope to post again soon, hopefully with some pictures and updates of my current and recent knitting projects.<br /><br />Until next time,<br /><br />Toodlepip!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com6