Friday 4 November 2005

Last post for a week!

Last post before PARIS. Am so excited now. Seriously excited. No, more than that. So anyway have managed to get batteries charged and ready for action so here are a plethora of piccies.

First off let me finally share the curly whirly #2 which is made from the yarn my SP gave me (this only used about 1/5 of the yarn she sent me!). The colours change from red to darker red to orangey red, all very subtle and lovely. I used an 8mm crochet hook whereas it is dk yarn hence the lacy and droopyness.
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The other things she sent me are here – aren’t they wonderful?
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She said she had guessed my favourite colour was red so there are a whole load of sequins and beads and some shiny red cord and then the little book is wicked. An *amazing* source of info. If anyone has any madder lying about then just you let me know.

Fred has also been a wonder and sent me these cute little ladybirds. I am desperate to use them but am not sure where to stick them. Ideas people? Actually maybe a picture frame. I do absolutely adore them though. Thanks Fred! Xx
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Going back to my previous SP present the first pom pom finally gets its moment of glory. YES I KNOW it is a strange shape and somewhat uneven. I will get there with time. The pom pom makers made it ultra easy and it seems to be holding together which was always the problem when I made them as a kid. It is made of the Louisa harding angora that I just don’t get on with and that I had overdyed red as I didn’t like the original colours.

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There was another fimo outburst at the weekend as predicted and what you have here includes a pair of commercial cheap ebay wooden needles with experimental ends, some more of the little brooches and some buttons. Had tried making one of those millefori rods but was using fimo ‘soft’ which I think is too malleable to really do it properly. Ho hum, might mean a little trip to Hobbycraft when I come back from PARIS (so excited!!!).

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The rounder buttons were made by creating a button mold out of air drying clay (basically press buttons I have that have nice patterns on into the clay and then leave to dry). I stuck a piece of the rod into the button mold and came out with these. You can’t really see the pattern but they have different flower shapes impressed in them. Need to work on that a bit though to get it a little better.

Was thinking about xmas pressies for all my knitty friends and so obviously ended up on ebay. This seller really is the dog’s. I’ve cleaned out her glass cat stock and thought these turtles and hearts were lovely too and really very reasonable. Very fast delivery too and a charming correspondent!
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Aren’t they just so divine?
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So have I done any actual knitting recently? Well I have bashed out most of a sock pretty sharpish. I really like this colourway – regia 4-ply – and had kept telling myself they were a xmas present but am def keeping these ones. Am also still bashing away at that rancid aran.
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And finally, I never did share the pics of the dock where I am living now but here is a taster and a question. What are those black birds? I keep wanting to say Cormorant but then I’m pretty sure they’re not. One of the juvenile swans has nonchalantly managed to get into the shot. Aren’t they all lovely? The black ones are found on this jetty most mornings waggling their wings and apparently airing and drying themselves out a bit. The swans continue to be adorable.

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So aurevoir mes amies. See you on the other side!

Thursday 3 November 2005

Alex needs...

  • An angel for her father
  • You!
  • Your help
  • To customise the document to better fit the role she's seeking
  • To open a pizza store in MC
  • A scapegoat
  • You! (again - geez I'm so needy)
  • Rooney
  • To know what real pain is
  • Lessons
Is MC Michigan? I ought to check that before I go any further on this one. Am sure you've all seen this. Put "(first name) needs" into google and press return. Saw it everywhere but recently on Doodle's blog. Her list is much better than mine though!

Wednesday 2 November 2005

That's Pooch's arm, right?

So I have had one offer to take the toys off my hands and one request for patterns. Well….here is the prototype monstrosity I have made and behind it is all the Japanese.
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I am surviving by largely improvising and using whatever digits appear in the pattern as an indication of how many stitches I should have at that point. Naturally copying patterns is evil and robs people of their copyright and so if you email your postal address to littlelixie@hotmail.com I absolutely won’t send you a copy.

Here are some of the sweeties I plan to be making soon…
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I do really love that Giraffe!

I am currently on the look out for dowel and this is how I’m going with this project so far….
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(The bottom bits of course). The top bit is my latest crochet toy attempt. I am calling this one “a pooch” so how it turns out will probably depend a lot on how nice he is to me.
I have plans, people. Watch this space.

So updating you generally this is the aran jumper for my step-dad.
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Is going really s..l..o..w..l..y.. but nevermind. Isn’t yellow either – is just the lighting. Is a natural oatmeal type colour.

Secret Pal – I am very sorry I have forgotten to take a pic of the curly whirly I made from the yarn you sent me last weekend. Will try and do that this week as it is *such* a lovely colour. Instead here is a wire crocheted bracelet and DO NOT LAUGH or cringe or anything at how hairy my arm appears to be.
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Hey wait a minute, that’s Pooch’s arm. Yeah, Pooch’s. Anyway….here’s a close up of POOCH’S arm.
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I did a single chain row and then worked two doubles into each stitch. It doesn’t obviously curl but it is quite nice. Meant to put beads on it but forgot.

So finally a comedy shot. If you were going to cut dowel…how would you do it? Would you place it across your lap and saw towards your groin while a mate’s head was just millimetres away from the blade? Allow me to introduce…Joe (holding the saw) and Dann. No men were harmed in the making of these needles!
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And finally….I’m off to PARIS on Saturday so count me out for next week. Back on Thursday when will probably still have no internet but have wool hunting soirees planned so expect some good photos.

Tuesday 1 November 2005

Just a quickie


STILLLLLLLLLLL no internet. BT - I want you to know that now when I say these two letters I kind of spit a bit as well so don't be standing in front of me when you ask me about how this is going. As an interim here is my leaving/arriving cake I had in the office... isn't it sweet? Chocolate of course (Nikkie - this was ordered before I talked to you I swear!!)

Am *so* into crochet. (I think I might have a new first love but don't tell UKHK or Pooch) and so am off to John Lewis to purchase some stuff suitable for japanese toys. I, ahem, do not have the 4-ply acrylic necessary for kiddie toys. (Why the hell am I doing kiddie toys - I loathe children. Anyone have a 2 year old they think would like them get in touch and you can have them! Otherwise they'll be charity shopped!)