A.A. Milne

Today was a lovely day so I was able to do some drawing outside.  I was messing with some inks.  I haven't painted or worked with inks in many years.  It was fun enough to mess around in the sun even though it felt a bit rusty.

I am hoping to finish a knitting project soon.  I'd just would love to finish what I am working on so I can start using them and also to share the photos. The handspun sweater that I have been working on is almost finished.  I just realised that the new ball/skein of yarn that I started is a different fibre/type of wool.  I will need to search my stash to see if I have another one.  I have everything done except the collar and half of one arm.

Isadora

Looks like Isadora is dancing on a scanned page of a very old college notebook. 

Looks like there is a very strong colour theme going through my knitting at the moment.  I dyed all the yarn photographed.  One pair of socks, that I am knitting, is a pattern by Hedgehogfibres.  It is called Vestigial.  Got into the sock buzz again.  And as soon as I get this sweater done, I want to finish one of the 4 ply cardigans that I have on the go.  Might alternate Aran and 4 ply jumpers because knitting 4 ply cardigans can get a little bit boring or 'Are we there yet?'  I was very grateful for the one 4 ply cardigan and sweater that I did make for myself this summer.

I got chips last night and the man in the chipper was laughing that I was already back into the winter gear.  I was wearing a lightweight cowl and hat.  

Was walking by the donkeys in our town (few can say that I am sure) and this little toddler cut loose and just walked out in the middle of the road.  Maybe he was from Dublin and was heading back.  I was walking Lexi and saw this.  I started running towards them shouting and pointing.  "The toddler is in the road.  Baby in the middle of the road.  The baby!"  Cars were beeping.  The little fella kept on trucking.  His family realised and all is well.  The little guy must prefer Shetland ponies to donkeys. 

Halcyon Days

The sun glass case was what I sewed for my mother a few weekends back.  I only got to do some sewing yesterday.  I made 2 cushion covers, a bag and a mini pencil case for my hand bag and another little coin purse using up scraps.  I appreciate that this all may seem repetitive but I am determined to use up some of the fabric I have been harbouring for years.  The cushions are making my couch even more comfortable and smart looking.  I love to organise my life with zippered bags.  So bear with me!  I am going to sew one more cushion cover today and then put away my sewing gear till next weekend.

Lexi is growing impatient and wants to go for a walk.

Whatever Happens

I am doing quotes that I like as a personal project.  I don't want to over think the project.  I just want to do it.  I want to basically mess around with quotes and words that I like.  Some quotes mean more to me than others but I really don't want to discuss it all.  I just want to share the quotes without an explanation.

I sewed this pencil case last weekend.  Made one for my brother as well.  Don't expect him to use it but I just wanted to sew him something for part of his birthday present.  I tie dyed the fabric probably last year and still have a bit more to use.  I love dyeing fabric and yarn.  I found these pens when going through some old boxes belonging to me at my parents'.  Knew they needed a new home so I made a pencil case specially for them.

I am going to try to sew something today.  I'm a bit wrecked, it was a long week, but a good one.

P.S. Mustard turned out grand.  I am going to try messing around with the recipe and other recipes.

Made the courgette loaf by Nigel Slater again.  This time I skipped adding the apple and raisins.  Didn't have either.  I probably added more courgette because I had it and wanted to use it.  I didn't have just raisins.  I had a bag of mixed fruit for Christmas cake making.  I felt citrus peel would have spoiled the party so I skipped it and didn't feel like going to the shop.  I like using up what I have the most in cooking and baking.  I also like adding more of what I like, so I added more cinnamon.  I put in almost a teaspoon.  Happy enough with it.

Eleanor

I don't know what kind of mind discusses cake because that is probably what I will be doing today.  I am baking my brother his 'real' birthday cake.  I am going to make another chocolate jam cake - glutenfree for myself to eat whilst everyone eats birthday cake.  August is a time of many cakes.  I used to make cupcakes and cakes with icing.  One year, I'd say we went through a serious amount of sugar and icing sugar.  I'm not going to lie.  I was buying the big 5kg bags of sugar.  My family and I had problems sleeping at night due to the crazy amounts of sugar.  Molly, the dog was given a teeny amount of cake and even she was up at night howling.  The icing recipe was too hard core.  I should look for another one.  I have just been making chocolate icing and cake since.

Can't wait to blend the mustard and see how that turned out.  I'll see if I can cut the mustard or not.

This bag above I sewed the weekend August 9-10, 2014.  I also made few other items.  I have a busy weekend this weekend.  Hopefully, I will get some sewing done on Sunday.  Might make some cushion covers if I have the right zippers in my stash.

Better start baking the 'real' cake.

Lao Tzu

Trying to think what to write!  Lao Tzu is a hard act to follow.  I'm telling you!  I am grateful for the love and support that I do get.  Also I think we can do the unthinkable when taking care of and protecting loved ones.

I did make the courgette loaf/zucchini bread and it was a hit.  Lexi tested a fallen raisin from a slice I was eating and she looked like she fell in love herself.

I'm making progress with the hand spun, raglan top down sweater.  I separated the sleeves from the body and am now working on the body of the sweater.  I'll share photos as soon as I take some.

A Creative Man

Sad news to hear about Robin Williams.  I adored Mork and Mindy growing up. Robin Williams had immense talent and it is so sad to hear that he suffered such depression.

Happy Birthday to my brother!

Jumpstart

Sometimes, it seems that there is always so much to do.  I know someone who is near and dear to me and she says when she walks in a room she only sees what needs to be cleaned and tidied.  I will not compare myself to Marie Curie but I always feel that there is a lot that remains to be done.

I am going to start a hand spun, top down raglan sweater with this hand spun yarn, I dyed.  I think the wool is Falkland.  I'll have to check.  I love knitting simple sweaters.  Not smart to start new sweater, when I have so much to finish but I like to have a simple sweater on the go when I want some auto pilot knitting, especially when I am so tired.  I always like having a seamless, top down sweater on the go because when you don't feel like trying things on and figuring out when to stop decreasing for sleeves, it's great to knit these great big seas of stockinette stitch without worry.  I was so wrecked last night, I only managed to get a few lines of a swatch done before falling asleep.  My big feather cushion, that I sewed the cover for, was my accomplice.

I'm going to tidy up a bit then maybe do a little bit of sewing and then I am going to swatch for my new raglan sweater.  I will restart that scarf.  I'll work on the scarf in the mornings instead of socks until I get the scarf finished.  

Enjoy your Sunday.  I think I might need another cup of coffee to jumpstart me.

Love All

I said Shakespeare's time would come.  I feel a little bit more interested in Shakespeare since finding out that my great great grandfather was from Stratford on Avon.  I've known for many years.  I loved English in school but I think if I knew while I had to study Shakespeare's plays, there would be even more enthusiasm. My cousin did some research and found out about our family history.  Our family owned a grocery store across from Shakespeare's birthplace on Henley street around 1860.  I should ask her more.

The photo is of me and Lexi Belle.  I noticed on our walk that we were kind of matching.  She has a purple collar and a blue lead/leash.  The black thing is the camera strap.  A large amount of my clothes are navy blue. 

Better get some work done before lunch.  Haven't touched the scarf but I have decided to rip the whole thing out and start again.

Everything takes time

Everything does take time, doesn't it?  Had planned on writing out a different quote but these words stuck in my head all morning.  Shakespeare will have to wait for another day.  Everything takes time and his time will come.

Birds, Box Bags and a Pup

The world is mud-luscious and puddle- wonderful.

- e.e. cummings