It's been a while

I know it's been a while since I typed anything on here, but I've been attacked by at least a month worth of days :-). Things have got really mad now the festive season is round the corner - college work due before the end of term, my parents getting me to help them out with things & best of all I'm going to a family gathering nest week, that should be soooooo much fun (not!)Especially as all I have to do is walk into a room to annoy my Grandfather. He tries to wind me up & gets annoyed & frustrated when I either walk away from him, simply laugh at his stupidity of worse still actually talk to him. Last time we had a gathering it was for his birthday a few years ago & he made a point of ignoring me, eating the cakes I'd made & brought with me, but ignoring me. So I decided I'd had enough of this & in a nice loud voice said "Happy Birthday Granddad!" He spent the rest of the party scowling every time I looked in his direction, I couldn't help laughing - Well, I thought it was funny.

Craft wise I've knitted a hat & scarf in Gryfinddor colours for a friends Grandson, four beanie hats, an mottled grey Entrelac cushion cover, got stuck on a crocheted blanket & about half way through another piece of entrelac this time in chocolate and white arans, it's looking really effective.

I think that's all for now, if anyone reads this I hope they'll wish me luck for Sunday & if I survive, I'll write something when I get back lol

I know I haven't posted

For a few weeks, but things have been a wee bit mental, especially with the PGCE. I had no idea it would be so mentally intensive, I come home on a Friday night & am totally drained. i think part of it is, that I'm not used to spending such a lump of time with a group of people, at any one time.

I'm surrounded by people from about 9am until approximately 3:30pm & I have no escape, unless I go to the loo lol. It's something I haven't done for a very long time & I admit, I'm finding it difficult. But I'll be beggared if I'm going to let that beat me!!!!! :-)

On the plus side, having to ride the bus for about an hr each way does mean I get some knitting done. One pair of socks finished, one half of a pair of toddlers socks finished & almost finished another sock, I even get to knit during the morning break & lunch lol. Now if I could just get the lecturers to understand that I'd absorb a lot more information if they let me knit while they're talking at me ......... ha ha

Everything arrived safe

I've just heard from my swap pal & everything arrived safely, even the teapot, cup & saucer. Which I was convinced were going to arrived smashed to pieces, I'm so relived. Both parcels arrived at the same time which something else I was worrying about.

I can't wait to show my friends in college my treats - might leave the sweeties at home though. They all seem to have really well developed sweet teeth down here, that includes my Mam :-)

Now I know what to do with the hot sauce, I'll use it next time I have Friends over for food. I'll make a big bowl of nachos & leave them to help themselves, it'll go down a storm lol

It came!!!

I got back from swimming this afternoon & my Hogwarts sock swap parcel was waiting next door for me. WOW, once I figure out how to get photo's on here everyone will be able to see how generous my pal has been, sweeties, a sock knitting book, hot sauce & the most amazing pair of socks. I've been seriously spoilt, all I can say again is THANK YOU Fleur of Flitwick. also known as Michelle.

Well it's gone

I finally posted my Hogwarts sock swap pal's goodies. I had to send it in two parts, a box & a jiffy bag. I hope they both arrive at the same time, with nothing broken. I'm not going to say any more that, just incase she looks at my blog.

Now all I have to do is figure out how on earth I'm going to post any pictures on here & link them to the main blog lol.

style="font-family:Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:78%;"> style="font-family:Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:78%;">


Which of Henry VIII's wives are you?

this quiz was made by Lori Fury

I couldn't resist trying this quiz this morning. I'm not sure about the pressing of flowers, or reading romantic novels, but I am glad I a Catherine of Aragon. I think she was one of the better woman used up by Henry VII. I think her & Anne of Cleves or the two I have the most time for. In many ways I feel sorry for the other 3, they were used & abused to further the ambitions of more powerful male members of their extented families. Although in the case Anne Parr I think it was more of a case of needing a nurse rather than a wife.

Finished

Well, apart from the bubble wrap my parcel is ready to go. I might knit another hat or two if there's time. Fleur of Flitwick (my swap pal) has an old student, who is now in the American army overseas & she knits beanie hats for the squaddies.

Spending the first 8yrs of my lfe as an army brat (British) I couldn't not add a couple of my own. Thank goodness the hats naturally take up very little space, as the box is starting to look a little full lol

Answers to the questions set by Rowena Butterbeer

1/ I think my pet would have to a be an owl - I can't say I'm over fond of cats or toads, I've never done scratchie little creatures, especailly rats. At least Owls can be used to send & recieve messages & can fend for itself when it come to feeding it lol.

2/ In Honeydukes it would have to be some knid of boiled sweet - Lemon Sherberts, Cherry Drops or the all time favourite peppermints. Never been a serious fan of chocolate, not saying I haven't eaten my fair share :-). It's just that I have to be in the mood for chocolate, part of that is because of an allergy to dairy products ( not that it stops me when I'm in choccy mode lol), but I'm always happy to sit knitting/needlecrafting, sucking on a sweetie. I'm afraid I have this terrible habit - I've always sweeties in my handbag, it's something I picked up from my Nan. I don't eat them all the time, but there just in case ^_^

3/My every day muggle clothing isn't very exciting (except for a love of silly/unusal socks). I don't wear trousers very often, so it would be a dark blue or black skirt, a plain coloured or white cami blouse/t-shirt with an over blouse either patterned or plain. At the minute the weather is warm enough for me to wear sandals/flip flops, but when it gets colder black shoes.

4/ I think my favourite subject at Hogwarts would be Herbology, I a Taurean & as an earth sign I like pottering about with plants (don't like getting dirty hands though lol).

5/ My least favourite subject would be Defense of the Dark Arts, having to deal with all that dark magic would scare the life out of me. I happily admit to being a wuss!

6/ I think the potion I would make would either have to be something to do with my needlework. Something that I could dip my needles in so they could complete a difficult pattern without constant supervision.
Or some kind of herbal potion to ease my back pain - I damaged my upper spine a few years ago.
Not sure about all the ingredients, but if it was something to help with my back & mobility, it would have to include Willow & Mint (so it has a pleasant taste). As for the colour, it would have to be something nice & cheerful - yellow or red.

Seriously Blonde

OK, silly season hasn't finished yet - yesterday I took three buses to a hospital in Swansea & got there in time for the appointment, only to discover I was at the wrong hospital. Yes I felt a twit, but it all got sorted.

On the plus side being on the bus for so long meant, I managed to get the foot of my second sock done & finished the toe last night. Which means I can get on with one or two little extras for my parcel, hopefully the deputy headmistress will tell us about posting soon. I know it's silly, but I'd be very happy to post everything off, once the last stitch is secured. lol

Yesterday better be the end of the silly season

It all started with the sunburn, then I forgot to take my bra off when I went swimming - didn't realise until I was in the deep end of the pool, next I steamed my finger getting the corn out of the microwave, which left me with an amazing burn. Finally yesterday afternoon I was sat in my parents living room, just made a cuppa after finishing the first sock & started casting on for the second sock. Everything was going really well & then I was either victim or a rather rotten jinx or Peeves decided to pay me a visit........ the ball of wool, rolled off my lap & right in to the cuppa at my feet. It's ok to laugh, I did, although I have to admit to using a few naughty words as well lol

Some Good News

I during a phone call this lunchtime I discovered that my funding has come through & my PGCE course tuition fees are going to be paid.

This news more than makes up for the sunburn received on a trip to the beach last week - the tip of my nose & believe it or not in my hair line. Where the sunblock ended & I didn't wear a hat, serves me right!!!!! I look like the actress at the end of Medicine Man, where she's got that red line outlining her face, only she looked better :-)

Now for some peace & reading

I told everyone that when I finally got my hands on the new HP, I was going to have an 'opt-out day' were I totally ignored the world for 24hrs. I should of kept my big mouth shut & only told them the night before, I got as far as chapter 18 & I haven't had time to look at the blessed thing since :-(

I have managed to get 75% of my first sock finished, hopefully Fleur will like the design etc. I've only ever made socks for myself or little bits before (under 10's). I did discover in my stash a lovely blue & silver blending filament, which gives the socks a lovely sparkle that I'm really pleased with.

Hopefully as of tomorrow I've got a quieter few days & I can read & knit to my heart's content (I said hopefully) Watch someone/thing put the mockers in it yet again lol.

Suprise parcel

I've haven't gone out for the bus yet, as I was hoping my new sock book might of arrived this morning - No joy. Although I did get a suprise, I'd asked my aunt to look out for Ravenclaw coloured yarn & totally forgot about it.
Well, about 10 minutes ago, the postman forced a squashy parcel through the door. My Aunt had found some lovely Regia yarn & a booklet of patterns to go with it. It's a lovely way to start the day, I just wasn't expecting it :-)

FInally got my little mits on a copy

I've just got back from town with a copy of the new Harry Potter tucked away safely in my bag, after the librarian teasing & pulling it away as I was trying to get hold of it lol. Finally I managed to get it, any guesses how I'm going to spend any free time I have over the next few days (hopefully)?????? :-)

Stitch markers

Stitch markers are finished (10 mins ago), they were great fun to make. I even managed to make a couple in colour my sock swap pal wears almost every day :-)
Yarn got (I think) & amazon have just emailed to say the 'favourite socks' was dispatched this morning, hopefully it'll get here before the weekend. That way I can start on the socks while I'm at Mam's - it'll give me something to do Saturday night while their working.
So to use the old saying "we're cooking on gas," ready for August 1st.

My wand

I've just been to Diagon Alley, (via a link on Lily Ravenclaw's blog) & finally bought my wand - Willow & Phoenix. The results of all the questions asked are below

You scored 42 wisdom, 5 bravery, 31 emotional, and 33 martyrdom!
A willow wand signifies that you care deeply about emotions, art, and intuition, and that you have a particular knack for charms. The phoenix tail feather as your core means that you have the capability to be an extremely powerful wizard or witch and that you will defend those you love at all costs.

Problem solved (sort of)

Yesterday I finally discovered a proper, old fashioned wonderful wool shop...... Mrs Mac's in Mumbles, Swansea. It was wonderful to walk in through the door & be confronted by piles & piles of wool. Mrs Mac herself was friendly & helpful.

The sort of bit, was the fact that it took me three buses & a walk up & down a steep hill to get there, & the same to come home. Stopping off in a lovely shop called Treasure for a wonderful reviving cuppa before I started the return journey. However, when I mentioned to Mrs Mac the length of my journey, she told me that she was in the process of getting a website together sometime in the next few weeks & she was also more than happy to post me any wool I want. That's if I know exactly what I want, how many of use know that when we need a wool fix??? :-)

The trials of the sock knitter

Saturday, I had a purse full of happy money & a morning free to have a nice relaxing pootle round Swansea, to get my sticky little fingers on some sock wool, or wool for other projects I wanted to knit in Charmed knit. But could I find anything except novelty, double knit, aran or baby wool..... could I H E double toothpicks. I ended up getting very stressed, a purse full of money & NO WOOL. Hopefully the email sent to my Aunt in England, this morning might bring me a nice suprise in the post, otherwise it's a mad rush round the internet looking for what I want. Keep your fingers crossed for me :-)

Twitching to get started

Ok, I've answered my questionaire & my first 10 points for Hufflepuff, now my fingers at twiching to get started. To put aside all current projects & increase my UFO pile (for a while anyway) & get my teeth, or needles stuck into the sock swop, I've even got my happy money ready for a wool buying trip.

Watch this space :-)

Hogwarts Sock Swop questionaire

Hogwarts Sock Swap Questionnaire
What Hogwarts house have you been sorted into? Hufflepuff
Shoe size? UK size 7-8
Foot Length? 9.5 inches or 24cm
Foot Circumference?10.5 inches or 27cm
List your three favorite double-point needle brands, including size and length.
a.I don't have a favourite, I just use the needles I snaffled off my Mother, when I was at school.
b.
c.
Would you like to try a new brand needle? If so, which brand? Size? Length? Yes, no idea which though.
If you are a RAVENCLAW, do you prefer the colors in the film or the book? Do you have a strong preference? N/A
Allergies? Do you have any? Will your knitting be exposed to smoke or animals? I'm allergic to perfumes, lavender, as well as other things & my knitting will not be exposed to smoke or animals.
Are you an international participant (outside US)? Are you willing to have an international Hogwarts Sock Pal? Yes I'm an international participant & I'd be happy with a Sock Pal from anywhere.

I'm happy

This morning brought a rude awakening, the muggle post lady was bangging on the front door & in her hand was my new knitting book 'Charmed Knits' & I couldn't wait to get my sticky little fingers on this lastest treasure. I think I want to knit 'Ron's Hat' first & then maybe 'Dobby's socks'
I now just have to finish some of my current projects ready for the start of the new Hogwarts sock swop. Hopefully my other new book will arrive before everything starts - favourite socks.