work so far.

This is my work I have been working on past few weeks.

More squares for the homeless big Knitathon.
The ladies from my Knit and Natter group at Collier Row have done me proud.. Thank you ladies, who would have guessed we would have ended up with 33 squares, and for such a good cause.

part of secret project


This is a part of a  secret xmas pressie  I am not saying anymore... pretty hey?

my scarf of many colours
Nearly completed.
This was made by sewing hundreds of small crochet squares together.The design is by Sarah London. The photo just doesn't do it justice, so will take more when it is actually completed.It doesn't show the sheer squishiness of it..!.

I am slightly recovered from my recent illnesses and trying to catch up..
Emma is k at   Uni,  although a recent  drunken student prank with a fire extinguisher meant her flatmate had to be rushed to hospital.. She is not starving but I have to top her  food shopping card up or the poor girl will fade away.She is working part time as a temp in a nursery,while she studies..
Alex is still working on his writing..we have a panto to go to this weekend.

Prince,our cat.. he had a very uncomfortable few nights when alex put a Dr who figure in his bedding.. and then turned the house inside out looking for it. 
In between my illnesses I did a one day first aid course which was offered free as I am a carer for Alex.I learnt how to do CPR,how to deal with burns, choking and fractures etc. Very useful,as my ex was the first aider and then emma qualified as a paediatric first aider.I am waiting for my certificate to come.The lecturer was very interesting,he had plenty of stories to tell and had led a interesting life.
Life is very cold here in Essex, we have got over the rain and now heading for a very cold few days..just when you want to wrap up warm and stay inside..

Leaving you with this lovely photo I found on the net..I can sense another cushion love starting after Xmas... 
and the legs well arent they stunning?I would love to get this done with temporary tats.. think its henna and indian body art..stunning and gorgeous..reminds me some what of Zentangle..of which I have another book..but that is another day.. until next time.. stay warm and dry..and most of all well.

sick again and baby its cold outside and a bit wet and soggy..

squares made for for the big knitathon..

clever idea for use of granny squares..

well yes I am back to being on the sick   list.. at the moment have throat infection, and conjunctivitus, so have drops, and antibiotics,and have the remains of thev result of  norovirus...weakness..
meanwhile I am making granny squares to stop me going stir crazy...........
still am turning the heating up and drinking hot drinks,, cos Baby its cold outside.........

we have been to see this tonight..go and see it..its excellant..brilliant stunts!

 a list of Knitting’s Best Tips. Some of these may seem rather obvious, but you’d be surprised at how many knitters have never heard of them!

Without further ado, here we go:

1.  Before you even make a slip knot, READ the entire pattern through at least once. You will be amazed at how directions / instructions are written. Some very helpful hints or notes will be added near the end of the pattern. Usually these are things you need to know right away. Be sure to read the pattern through completely, so you know what these are.

2.  When casting on, always leave yourself enough yarn to make it all the way through the stitches you need to cast on the needle.  Don’t worry if you have a long strand of yarn left over, simply cut it to size.

3.  When joining a second or third ball of yarn, try to join them at the edges rather than in the middle of a row.  Then your seams will be hidden in the sides and it just looks so much neater.

4.  When knitting off of a chart or directional rows, always use a Post-it® Notes to keep your place. Then when you need to walk away, always write down the last row knitted on the Post-it® Notes so you’ll know just where to pick up when you resume.  The sticky little note can be moved down the page as you go.

5.  When knitting with a ball of yarn, always pull the yarn from the center and not the outside.  If you do this, your yarn will flow nicely and not become a monster tangled mess as you knit. If you do encounter a knotted mess, simply cut the mess out, then attach your yarn again. Some knots are impossible to untangle!

6.  If you want to change colors rather than knit all in one color, then do it! Be creative.  If you wish to add a stitch pattern to a project, and you know how to do that,  then do it!  Variations on a theme are always welcome.

7.  When you work on a pattern that is written for 2 or 3 sizes, always circle or highlight the size that you are knitting for. Do that all the way through the pattern. It is very easy to start knitting for another size if your size isn’t highlighted from start to finish.

8.  New to knitting?  Then don’t knit with specialty yarns or anything fuzzy or ribbon-y, like fun fur or mohair. It’s too difficult to see your stitches on the needle, and you’ll get lost in the fuzz. Take my word for it!

9.  Keep all those knitting accessories to a minimum.  They may look all the rage, and be very cute to have, but most often you won’t use them anyway. Needles, yarn, scissors and instructions will do the job every time.

10.  If you’re getting to the end of a ball of yarn and want to know if you can knit another row without running out, then do this:  take your remaining yarn and stretch it out across the width of your piece three times, back and forth. If your yarn makes it, you have enough for another row.  Whew!

These tips should get you started. 

Last week we did the big Knitathon..here is our squares..

This weekend,I hope to see the new James Bond movie..it looks exciting.Weather here in Essex is appalling..and have not much to add apart from a picture of my new owl.. cute isnt he..??

working on secrets

I am currently working on a secret project with no picture able to  show.
Have had last  week with a very upset stomach, and left feeling weak,and tired.
Today I did lots of boring housework chores to catch up on.Did cartloads of ironing and folding and washing at the weekend as it was a question of either do that or send alex to school naked..
Today I went with my big sis R to see my mum and dad.At this Thanksgiving time I am thankful and glad I still have my parents as so many of my friends do not have this support.
https://www.facebook.com/TheBigIssueFoundation

On saturday I shall be taking part in this, its knitting for charity and will be hosting my event at home.

some scarfs and squares

pink square..

 I  have been ill, this time with tummy bug and sore throat,here is what I have been up to.

all 6 together.

a pink granny square.

two of my granny squares together 

a mesh scarf in pink sequins double knit.

a close up. has creamy white edging

another scarf, this time, double crochet and in same wool

tiny sequins in wool, can you see them?

a potato chip thin variated double knit wool scarf. crocheted dont think its so curly as knitted ones.

two squares made for my Krista blanket. these have flowers in the middle.

Meanwhile the kids went to a cartoon convention...Dr who was there.. alex got to actually see Matt smith(the current doctor who)and emma was equally as thrilled as they are both DOCTOR WHO fanatics.,Must run in the family...:)

alex and the doctor..

emma....

So today its another dark and rainy day here in Essex.The first photo doesnt give justice to how wet and dark it is.My dear boy has gone to Walton on the Naze with his class to have a trip for the day for his Georgraphy project,so they have to drive for approx and hour and a half in the dismal weather for a day aat the beach.He has taken his welly boots for when he on the beach.Yuck I am so glad I am not him, although it is nice just to see the sea.
Next picture is my current stitching, a Christmas Wreath ,for an exchange, as you can see only have a small amount left to do.
The next picture is my crochet,I am making a poncho(my first) in red white and blue to wear for the Olympics/queens jubilee celebrations.Its so easy to do, to curl up and get the wool out in front of the tv and just let those fingers do their work.This is a result from 2 nights crochet,so its really easy and a quick make, just have to do another panel and sew them up.
Next up is that mischievous little moggy,Prince.. he would rather be out in this awful weather than in with me in the warm..and dry.Fine, I am not upset about it, I am not, I understand you are a cat that sometimes 'needs to be alone',I know you will be back when the hunger hits you!
Lastly a video, from when I was away in March, this is 'Showmaddymaddy' a kind of tribute band to Showaddywaddy.. they werent that bad,I just thought Id share it.
So what plans for me today?Just to catch up on the stitching, a bit of crochet then a pile of paperwork.After having my MRI scan on Monday I feel I need a few wind down days to get over the trauma while I await the result.Have a nice day.Whatever you are doing..xx

this is what I am currently stitching.I have been stitching on this all day on and off as it is late for an exchange..Its a Christmas wreath from the magazine Cross Stitch Crazy.It has been photographed sideways .I mark the bottomof the frame by using an elastic band should I forget 'which way is up'.What ways do you mark this?I had lost my cross stitching mojo and stitching on this has given it back to me.I remember why i love cross stitch,its so nice and relaxing to do..

Today I feel slightly better just very weak and tired from having had the flu.I havent done much, as trying to get myself back to normal after feeling so ill.Hopefully tomorrow I will feel more myself.I have so much to do in the house, I have literally left everything, so there is lots of jobs to catch up with.

I didnt go out for a meal tonight I had been invited to as dont want to spread any lingering germs and dont feel strong enough to go out.

Alex is home from his school field trip to Sussex.he looks worn out, He shared a room with 3

other boys and I dont think he got much sleep.So tonight he has gone to bed early.He thoroughly enjoyed his time away.(I worry for nothing..no honestly its just cos I do care.. so much).

Here is a picture of Emma my daughter and her fiance Mike.Dont they make a lovely couple all dressed up,they were on their way to a birthday party a few weekends ago.

been busy but back now.

I have been busy and my blogging had gone by the wayside.hoping to pick up where i left off.

I have been sick with flu for past few days and just been in bed.

Alex has been at his dads ,giving me a chance to rest and Emma at her boyfriend Mike's house for the weekend.

Since I last blogged Emma has decided that in September she will be going to Greenwich university so my daughter has decided that she will leave home, and me and start life independently.I am in two minds about this, yes I want her to go but oh I will miss her(but not her mess) and her company.Since the break up of the family we had forged a little 3some family and well seems that life changes however and whatever happens,but at 21 she is old enough to stand on her two feet all I can hope is that I have equipped her for life without me beside her.

Alex continues to grow, he is almost as tall as me now, with his deep voice and manlike mannerisms.

I have been busy knitting.I am currently working on my first knitted doll.I got a book from amazon and have knitted the body and am now knitting the clothes.I also am stitching for a exchange, and have decided on a poinesetta Christmas wreath picture, so that is 3/4 way done.My local embroidery group,well we are making Lavender dolls, so I have had a chance to do some stitching with my new birthday present which is a sewing machine, that is half finished.With Easter school holidays and my flu illness everything has had to stop for a while while I rest and recover.

We also have two new additions to the family,some fishes, called 'The doctor' and 'Riversong' after the Dr who characters, they are alexs birthday present ,now he is 14.So more pets to the fold, and more responsibility.

Tomorrow will take some pictures and share them with you.Back to shool tomorrow for alex, work for emma and recovering for me.