Wollongong Stitch N Bitch July

Well what a great afternoon, the venue is great, about 30 knitters attended, 6 from blogland, Donni, Sharon, Ailsa, Donna, Justine and myself. We did manage to get a fair bit of knitting done, but the conversations we just rolling all around the room. The hot chocolate and profiteroles were yummy!

In picture is Donni (in blue), Sharon (in stripes), Ailsa (in black), Justine (in pink), Donna (in black - sitting), and me in orange.

The time goes so fast, and you walk away to head home, and I felt, wow! I don't want this to end yet. I can see the time being extended at times, with people just sitting around talking, knitting and having a great time. I think I may turn up earlier next month.

I finished my first sock on Saturday night, and got started straight away on its mate. I am really loving knitting socks, I was a bit scared as I had read so many blogs where people had so much trouble knitting socks and turning the heel, I did it no problem, and it even looks pretty good. Now my mind is trying to come up with the next thing to knit, I would love to get my stash down heaps to a more manageable level, if that is at all possible.

What great winter weather we are having around 20 celsius each day and sunny, we went for a ride to Bundeena for lunch yesterday with friends, what a way to spend a weekend, SnB and ride with friends.

I decided last night that it is about time I got serious about losing some weight, So TODAY is my first day of trying to eat better without any specific diet in mind. I did Atkins about 18 months ago and lost 10 kilos, which was great, but then after months of trying to eat better, I failed and put all my weight back on and an extra kilo. SO now I will go public and hopefully this will keep me on track. So I would love to lose 15 kilos atleast and by Christmas if possible. I will keep track of how I go (good or bad) here.

Idiosyncrasy - tagged again!

id·i·o·syn·cra·sy, Pronunciation Keyn. pl. id· i·o·syn·cra·sies -A structural or behavioral characteristic peculiar to an individual or group. Write down five of your own idiosyncracies.Then, if you wish, tag five people from your live gerbil or friends list to do the same.

1. I have to clean my teeth before going to bed, it doesn't matter where I am staying, I can't sleep until I clean my teeth.

2. I can't go to bed without the trusty vaseline on my lips, otherwise wake up with crack lips....ouch!

3. Being a virgo and getting better/worse at it as I age, I like to deal with things as they happen, eg. if you use it then put it away. (not that you would think so by looking at my home - but that is the others who dwell there)

4. I wouldn't put green on blue, I don't care now (older and wiser - yeah right), especially pegs on clothes, I use wooden pegs only now.

5. I can't sit and be doing nothing, so I continually knit while watching TV, I am getting pretty bad as I now sometimes knit while talking with visitors and I take my knitting everywhere while visiting just in case.

So now you can all have a laugh and think boy how odd, anyway it's all in fun, now who to send it too and not get them off side. All the people I actually know in person have been tagged with this so I will just have to randomly tag someone.
I tag Knitty Gritty, she is doing a beautiful job on organising us knitters in making squares for the Tribute Blanket.

Tagged by The Stripey Tiger

I had been reading some of these tags this week not ever thinking I would be tagged, but The Stripey Tiger got me.

I can't remember exactly 10 years ago or even 5 years ago, I can just remember 1 year ago, so if you are interested sit, relax and read on, I have given it my best shot for the 10 years ago at such short notice.

Ten Years Ago
Wow so much has happened in the last ten years, I have trouble remember things.
I was working where I am still working, my boys were teenagers, running amuck as they do, we were enjoying family life.

Then 8 years ago the eldest son was diagnosed with Crohns Disease, we were totally floored, son walked out of hospital put his arm around me and said “it will be OK Mum”. Well 8 years on and a lot of blood transfusions, iron transfusions and an operation to remove some bowel, he is doing OK, not as good as I would like, but he just gets on with life, work etc. It was something in our lives that just seemed to change us all in different ways, the way we acted with each other, the way we tried to cope with something we could never change, it is just so undescribable. I try to get my act together, be stong and pretend I cope, I feel so useless, for the first time in their lives I couldn’t fix it. I guess that is why I can't remember much of the last ten years, just try to shut most out.

Five Years Ago
The death of my hubbies Grandmother (big nana to all the great grandchildren) in August 2000 had such an impact on all the family. We were riding most weekends, enjoying life, the boys grown up, well nearly. I had my bike for a year and was loving riding, I just couldn’t get enough, every weekend, even in rain (I don’t do that now if it is wet). I love the freedom, the speed (not that I speed in the car), I was born to ride.

One year ago
This is getting a bit easier, we were getting ready to take on our retirement plan, after not having a mortgage for over 10 years, we took a giant leap into a home in the area where we wanted to live (where my husband, his parents, their parents and their parents – you get the drift - had grown up in this town). We found the house, needs heaps of work, we saw the potential it would have in the future and set our plan to fix up what we needed to move in then the rest to be done over the next 15 years or so. Then retire. It is a bit like “everyone loves raymond” at the moment eldest son and his girlfriend live directly across the road at her dads home, they are moving to Wollongong in August. I am very good, I am not like Raymond’s mum at all, or so I keep telling myself. Youngest son made his 21st Birthday this time last year, didn’t think he would, but he even has made another year last week, wild boy that one, but he is just adorable, they both are.

Today
Usual thing, get out of bed, shower, brekky, throw a load of washing or two in, feed Ruby, have a play with Ruby, empty dishwasher, check out needle size for wool and pattern Cece sent me, make-up on, get dressed, damn didn’t have time to hang washing out, ask youngest son if he would (I live in hope), go to work, shop for food for dinner and lunches tomorrow at lunchtime, can’t wait to get home and knit more of the socks I started last night.


Tomorrow
Same as yesterday morning, work, going to friends for BBQ to act as security (aka mature adult supervision) for their sons party he his having (I’m good at that).

5 snacks I enjoy:
Chocolate, Chocolate, Corn chips and mexican salsa dip (girl at work makes), Smarties – by the hand full (the only way to eat them), did I mention Chocolate.

5 bands/singers that I know the lyrics of MOST of their songs:
I don’t know that I know most of them usually when I hear them I can sing along.
INXS, Rob Thomas, Suzi Quatro, Robbie Williams, Michael Jackson (I have mixed feelings now, but he is a great singer/entertainer, heaps of others, just depends on my mood.

5 Things I would do with $100,000,000
Pay my HUGE mortgage off, help my kids, parents, inlaws, some family, and friends. Set up Knitting haven, with SnB area, computer area for bloggers, hot/cold drinks, maybe cakes etc, and the best yarns and accessories imaginably, and open later in the day so as to stay open for a couple of hours after normal work hours for working people. Get in a cleaner/gardener/cook for home (so I can run Knitting shop). Set up something to help misunderstood/neglected kids.

5 locations I'd like to run away to:
A cabin somewhere cold, snowing, with a big log fire and a rocking chair and my knitting stash naturally. My home. Canada, USA, Scotland/England/Ireland.

5 bad habits I have:
Starting to sound and act like my mother (sorry Mum I do love you) she is just a worrier, keep telling youngest son the same things to do over and over, high expectation of the people around me (to pick up after themselves etc), take many things to heart and worry.

5 things I like doing:
Being with my hubby and kids, playing with Ruby, Knitting, Riding my bike, enjoying friends company.

5 things I would never wear:
Well not anymore: - hotpants, low hipster anything, see through clothes, how bad is this I can’t think of anything else. I guess anything I don't feel comfortable in or think it looks horrible on me.

5 TV shows I like:
McLeod’s Daughters, CSI, Cold Case, Without a Trace, Outback House (well only for 8 weeks), Landline (not that I get time to watch it anymore).

5 movies I like:
Legends of the Fall, Grease, Dirty Dancing, Polyanna (showing my age – just loved that crystal lampshade), The Sound of Music and many more………..

5 famous people I'd like to meet:
Brad Pitt, Tom Hanks, Rene Zellwegger, Oprah, Noni Hazelhurst.

5 biggest joys at the moment:
My family
Ruby
Knitting
Catching up with people through their knitting blogs and SnB
Friends

5 favorite toys:
My motorbike
Are knitting needles toys???? Well they are fun
I have all our teddy bears from our childhood - mine, hubbies, and boys.

People I want to tag (and they can answer all the questions if they like) are:

Fiberfish – My blogger friend who sends me things I need.

Random Knits - A bloggers page I read

I don't know how Cece and Donna get to know they are tagged, I guess I post a comment on their blogs.

The Tag
Questions to answer – what you were doing:
Ten Years Ago
Five Years Ago
One year ago
Today
Tomorrow
5 snacks I enjoy:
5 bands/singers that I know the lyrics of MOST of their songs:
5 Things I would do with $100,000,000
5 locations I'd like to run away to
5 bad habits I have:
5 things I like doing:
5 things I would never wear:
5 TV shows I like:
5 movies I like
5 famous people I'd like to meet:
5 biggest joys at the moment:
5 favorite toys

People I want to tag (and they can answer all the questions if they like) are:

Tribute Blanket Square

I have finished the square and will be posting today to the States. It is "Valentine Hearts" pattern, you can't see the hearts in the picture very well, I am hoping when it is put into the blanket they will show up nicely.

Completed hearts square 

Valentine Hearts Tribute Blanket Square 

I have put the picture of the Novotel Northbeach (Wollongong) that Donni has on her blog here, it looks just great, I can't wait for Saturday to come around as this is where we are meeting for SnB. It is in the hotel in the picture and check out the view.......I wonder how much knitting is actually going to get done on Saturday.

Stitch N Bitch Venue 

Finished objects

I put the French Market Bag through another wash last night, had the camera out this morning to take photos of other works and forgot to take another picture of bag, it is getting to what I want it to be, I may use it and then wash again in the future. Here are the before and after (after first 5 washes) pictures of the bag, the bottom isn't felting very well, but after the wash last night it is starting to look a bit more how it should, it will be put to good use anyway.

French Market Bag before Felting 

French Market Bag after Felting 

I received a great parcel from Fiberfish yesterday, we are doing a yarn swap, She sent me the bamboo dpn's I needed and a beautiful purple colour "Lobster Pot" yarn along with a pattern for a cable pattern beanie. Thanks so much Cece, your parcel should be on its way this week, I just have to get my act together.

Gifts from Fiberfish 

My hands were so cold last week at work (the joys of working in a very old heritage building without any heating or cooling), hot in summer, damn cold in winter. I decided to knit a pair of Fingerless gloves, they came out great, although with typing I think I may make another pair in 5ply instead of the 8ply I used, not as bulky. I made some stitch markers which you can see on the gloves, I am not sure if they are made correctly, but they worked. I am not too good at fine fiddley things.

Fingerless Gloves and Stitch Markers 

Last night I got out my stitch pattern book and found a pattern for the Tribute Blanket square I am making, hopefully I can post it this week. Busy, Busy, Busy.

Stitch N Bitch is on this Saturday at our new venue the Novotel in Wollongong, I am looking forward to catching up with everyone.

Felted Market Bag and oooops.......Who got the cold shower

Well I put the French Market bag through a hot water wash twice on Thursday night, then 4 more times on Friday morning, I realised on the 2nd wash on Friday that I could just up the wash time on the machine, so the last two washes were for about 20 minutes each before rinsing. It has felted but I don't think it is quite there yet.....DH got home after work and jumped in the shower, well then it happened, someone thumping on the wall, I thought what is that, then realised it was coming from the shower, I went down and asked DH, "is that you banging", he wasn't a very happy chappy, all the hot water was gone, what had I been doing on my day off, well.....I washed my market bag to felt it in hot water, like 4 washes, all with the other clothes etc that needed washing, so it wasn't all wasted.......then son arrived home ready to go out for his birthday, his girlfriend said she had a cold shower also that morning, well I didn't ........so who cares, really...get on with it, as if a cold shower ever hurt anyone...Just because it is the middle of winter. Anyway I really think it needs another go, so I will have to pick my time to give it another hot wash. Probably in the night so the water heats up for the next day. I have pictures but will post later.

Happy, Happy Engagement Anniversary

Today is 27 years since we got engaged - while I was cleaning out my knitting/sewing/study room the other week, I came across a piece of paper with some important dates on it.......and the date we got engaged was 21 July 1978........Yes you read it correct...1978.

It is 29 years since I met my darling hubby, we met on 25 July 1976, he was so cute, long black hair, boy look at as now.....no how about not. We met at Jamberoo Pub, I was 16 (nearly 17) and he was 17, I know both underage, but hey those where the days. On both our boys 18 birthdays we took them to Jamberoo Pub for a drink - a family tradition started. Both my nieces work part-time in the pub bistro, one is finishing Year 12 High School and the other is studying Fashion Designing at TAFE.

Onto knitting news..I have just about finished the French Market Bag, I have to do the "kitchener stitch" thingy to join the handles, then remember to take before photos, then I can't wait for this........wash in hot water in the WASHING MACHINE...yahoo.....doing something we should never do.....wash woollen items in hot water in washing machine. Then take the "after" photos. I hope it turns out OK. The photos I have seen of other bloggers bags are great and they look larger than what I imagine by reading the measurements it should turn out. Well hopefully it will be of a decent size.

I just ordered two books from Dymocks, don't you just love online shopping, I ordered At Knit's End by Yarn Harlot and Stitch N Bitch Handbook by Debbie Stoller. I can't wait to get them.

My day off tomorrow, youngest son's birthday - not that he will want me at home, and going for a haircut and colour, then out to dinner for birthday boy, we will all fight about who is going to be the designated driver on the way home...can't drink and drive and we can't all fit in one car, otherwise we would and let my mother in-law drive.....Damn.

A Tribute Blanket.......

A tribute blanket for a knitting blogger's brother in-law killed last week in a car accident in the USA, is being started and will be donated to his favourite charity.

If interested this is the size and details for the squares.

This is such a touching project......let's all contribute to this wonderful idea.

Christmas Stash continues.......

Branching Out is finished, I am so glad I persevered, it looks great, my sister should love it. I uploaded this picture by the blogger new photo adding item, so if you can't see it let me know, as I can't seem to add anymore pictures on this post through the same thing. So the pictures of the French Market Bag below are done through "Hello".

I took all my finished projects in the last two weeks to knitters guild on the weekend, they reckon I should put Dad's vest in Kiama show, but that is in January, Dad said he didn't mind, but I would love him to have it this winter, and they loved the knitting bag from my secret pal.

I started on the French Market Bag saturday morning, so I had something to knit at knitters guild, the stitch markers my secret pal made me have come in so handy already. I got my addi bamboo set of 5 dpn's and the bamboo circular in two days of ordering from STYK's, they are a gem to knit with.


French Market Bag started 

Above is the bag started before knitting on saturday arvo and then below what I have done last night. The bottom is in tartan colours that someone had given me in yarn they were throwing out, and the top of the bag is in handspun and dyed wool by Kerry, that I bought at the exhibition Donni was involved in, I just love the colours in it.

French Market Bag  


French Market Bag 

Not much knitting done yesterday until the evening,as we went riding with the HOG group yesterday to Berrima, most were so cold, but not me, I know how to layer and dress for warmth (the only way to go when riding in winter), it may not be a fashion statement, but who cares when you are warm. We had a great day. So back to work today, I am having Friday off, my youngest son turns 22 on Friday, and I am going for a haircut and colour, something different again I think, and hopefully have time to go to Wollongong to Spotlight and see if they have a substitute 4ply cotton other than Rowan 4ply cotton, (I need something a bit more reasonable priced) to do the lacy top from Stitch N Bitch Nation.

And the knitting goes on...............

This is the "Branching Out" Scarf so far.....Chrissie pressie number 3. Did I mention how this brand (not mentioned in case it incriminates me) of Mohair is sometimes difficult to knit, and I still seem to be frogging atleast once every night. Nearly put the scissors through it last night.

Branching out scarf 

Branching Out Scarf 

Branching Out Scarf 

This is the second completed dropped stitch scarf in Heirloom Aristocrat 50%Mohair/50% Wool blend with the scruffy yarn trim, this mohair is a delight to knit. Two Christmas presents down and umpteen to go.

Dropped Stitch Scarf 

Dropped Stitch Scarf 

Well I Tried........but was not strong enough.....must keep strong......

I am going against what I am trying to do........only have one thing on the needles at a time........I have started the Branching Out scarf and as it is quite intense especially knitting in mohair, I have decided to start the French Market bag....that way I can take it to work and do some at lunchtime, I have ordered the needles required from Styk so hopefully they will be here before the end of the week. My LYS is changing owners in August and the current owner is letting stock run down, or should I say out, I can't get the needles I want and she is running out of Heirloom yarn, which I find really nice to knit.

My socks are still on my mind I am getting the needles from Donni at the next Stitch N Bitch in a couple of weeks, so this lot will keep me going until then.

I tell you what knitting the "Branching Out" scarf in mohair/wool blend is sometimes a nightmare, I don't think I have frogged something as much as I have this, probably because I am doing it of a night and am pretty tired by then. I try to do atleast 2 repeats each night, it is pretty rough going on my wrists with some of the pattern stitches, but I am determined to see it through to the end, I am knitting this for my sister for Christmas.

Secret Pal 5......what a legend

I received my parcel from my secret pal yesterday, I spoke with my son through the day and he said that someone was knocking at the door but he didn't get to it in time. I rushed home at lunchtime hoping that it was a parcel for me, I had a parcel pick up slip in the mailbox, it said available for collection after 2pm, this was at 1.50pm, I thought it maybe there, I drove over to the post office on my way back to work, 3 minutes to 2, sorry not here yet, it was a registered parcel from overseas.....yahoo, it must be my secret pal parcel. So dissappointed I drove back to work. I had to wait until after 4.30pm to go back on my way home, I picked up my parcel rushed home (as fast as the speed limit would allow), opened up my parcel and wow what a great lot of presents for me.


Secret Pal 5 gifts for me 

My secret pal has made me the best knitting bag with "Annie and Ruby" and a picture of a girl and dog, with bright pink flowers and blue butterflies, and I was thinking of getting a new knitting bag instead of using the recycle shoppings bag from the supermarket you buy, some much needed foot scrub lotion, foot soak and foot cream (foot soak and rub on the weekend coming up), a knitting gauge with as small as size 2, boy you mean the needles for knitting socks are that thin (I may bend a few), some lovely stitch markers and magnets all hand made, she is the "Crafty" one my secret pal, a lolly ring to suck on, and the "Stitch N Bitch Nation" book, boy she knows me well, a photo frame with a map of the world, some gift cards with a dog and cat on them, and some note pads in a lovely blue/green colour, and a pair of beetle scissors. Thank you so much Crafty, you are really great. Crafty and I converse regularly via email, I have no idea of who she is, I could have already read her blog, I am slowly getting through the list, but I can't say that I have any idea of who she is, I can't wait for the big reveal in a few months so I can get to know her as well as she is getting to know me. Thanks again Crafty.

Ruby Girl

Seeing as I am using her namesake for my blog I will show off Ruby our American Staffy. She is nearly two (a virgo like me), Ruby is our younger son's dog, but you would only know that when he is around as we all just adore her so much. I never was a real animal person until we got Ruby. She is a life saver, stress buster and just adorable. Ruby is so gentle, and she just loves being around people.


Ruby 

And then there is another love of my life (no not the hubby well yes he is "The Love of My Life" - but this is another love of my life). My Harley Davidson Sportster 883 Hugger, I have had it for over 6 years now, and gave her a face lift 18 months ago. I do enjoy going on the back of hubby's Fatboy or sometimes the front, but I don't think he enjoys riding my bike as much a I do, but he doesn't complain if we swap sometimes, usually it is him who asks me if I want to ride his bike. This picture is taken just down the road from home (about 200 metres).


My Bike 

Start of the Christmas Stash..ho ho ho

I have started on the Christmas pressies, this is the first scarf I think I will give it to one of my nieces, I am on the next scarf for her sister.


Scarf for Christmas Stash 

I printed off the branching out scarf pattern from Knitty and I have some nice mohair/wool blend by Crucci so I am thinking I will do that for my sister.

Where do you get them..............

I am trying to get a set of 5 bamboo dpn in size 2.25mm to knit my socks. I ordered some online but then received notification that they are out of stock and the store is closing (this was for Ivore dpn's as I couldn't find any bamboo ones).

So now I have to search more to find some to buy. Overseas is easy to get them, but the postage can be a killer. If anyone knows of any Australian online stockists or any stockists in the Wollongong area please let me know.....Thanks.

Dad's Vest

I finished Dad's vest while off on holidays last week. It rained most of the week so I didn't get any painting done, we finally got to the front garden on Sunday and did a bit of weeding, just a bit more to finish.

I have lost my new pins and wool sewing needles, I was worried about being able to sew up the vest and then read that it uses running stitch (it is a very old pattern) which in today's terms is mattress stitch. Well it worked a real treat, I was so proud of myself and the seams.

Dad's Vest 

I did manage to tidy up my sewing/knitting/study room, I was amazed at how much yarn I have accumulated, I must stay out of wool shops, yeah right, my first day back at work and where did I go at lunchtime, to my local yarn shop, I was going to get size 2.25mm dpn for my socks as the pattern requires the small needles not 3.25mm as I thought. She didn't have the needles size I needed so I bought 3 balls of white Heirloom "Aristocrat" which is 50% Mohair, 50% Wool. I am going to make a scarf with it. I am not an addicted knitter, NO Not Me. I finished Dad's vest saturday arvo, I started a black shawl on saturday night and finished it before going to bed (before midnight - I might add), I then got up sunday morning and started a scarf which maybe the start of the Christmas present stash.

I am having trouble with uploading the photo of the vest I am using the new picture upload here on post site but I can't see it. I will probably end up with heaps of the same picture. I just went back to the old way I was uploading pictures........works for me.


Shawl in "Scruffy" yarn 

Wollongong Stitch N Bitch last the other saturday was great, they had the yarn swap, which I didn't participate in as I hadn't cleaned up my wool stash and wasn't sure as to what I may or maynot need in the future. There were some lovely yarns to be swapped. Next month Stitch N Bitch will be at the Novotel Northbeach Lobby Bar, I have to remember that so I don't go to the old venue.