Flibbertygibbet

All over, creation*

There's been much making going on around here lately.  When I am supposed to be doing something [writing] I find it only works when I can also procrastinate doing other stuff. Thankfully this time around, mostly creative stuff rather than watching TV.

In the midst of Nano, I decided that my daddy is too lovely and indeed too good to me to not get socks for Christmas.  Here's hoping he actually does like the ones he's had in the past because he's getting another pair. I asked lovely Jon of Easyknits some very silly questions about yardage trying to work out how to do my normal top-downs before finally giving in and going for toe ups.  I'm trying the Sherman heel - really, Lucy, I'm trying, I promise. Hating it.  Having lousy problems with the k enc and p enc stitches, I think I'll need a live tutorial.  The good thing is that I'm being a supercheat and these have gone up really quickly on 3.5mm needles.  Here's Dad's chocolate lime socks.

I'm casting on a second pair - in plums and custard - for the present pile.  Maybe a present to me.

I stayed up far too late on Friday night trying to work out the heel.  The next morning I was probably a bit distracted when I was packing up for the long awaited quilting course. I'd thought the sewing machine would fit in my wheelie bag, but no. So a big blue bag from the nation's favourite Swedish retailer came to the rescue.  I repacked everything and jumped on a train around to Kew Gardens.  Tikki Patchwork is a lovely little shop, worth the hour long train trip each way even if I spent the journey there screwing up the crochet cast on for the the Plums and Custard sock, just too tired. 

So I arrived on time, even after getting a little lost out the wrong side of the station.  Started unpacking and realised I'd forgotten something rather important - yup, you guessed it.  The bloody quilt top.  The tutor suggested I get my husband to run it over and it took quite the limit of my self-restraint to politely say "that's not an option". 
As for the class itself,  I had used most of the techniques before but it was a nice group of girls with some lovely projects to look at and would be great for beginners.   You can probably find most of the stuff on the internet but sometimes you need someone to show you in person (see Sherman heel above).   I don't think I picked up very much that I didn't know before but the whole point was that I spent some time on the quilt and feel inspired to do the next steps.

I trimmed, cut and basted it when I came home.  I'll give machine quilting another go.

Tiina helped me to cut the binding.  I think it's going to be very cute.

In the background of the first photo, you might see the fabric that's for another baby quilt.  I'm thrilled to say that four more beautiful bouuncing bambinos have arrived this week.  Hello to JR and Kelly (same day, in Munich and Blackpool), Mia and Sophie! All here safe now after some difficult births. Can't wait to meet them.

The other thing that sprang to life this month?  I won Nano.  My fingers are sore. But I'm happy.

*Almost the title of a novel by one of my favourite authors, Ruth Ozeki.  (she seems to have lost the middle initial between her first and second books)

Sleep-in Sunday

I kind of wish it was a sleep in day, but there's so much to do. Though it's a nasty, windy day so I'm most glad I food-shopped yesterday and don't have to go out today, even though I'd like to get a cinema trip in with Claire...

My Nano mojo sort of disappeared.  Back at work this week and was trying to settle back into it.  Also got out to see the girls on Wednesdays. On Thursday I was told that a job change/promotion that's been under discussion since June is now definitively on hold as there's a headcount freeze across the company. While I'm telling myself that I'm lucky to have a job and need to hold on to it, it irks me that they will also use this as a rationale to refuse a deserved payrise.  By now I expected as much but am still extremely disappointed and wish they'd never started discussing the promotion with me in the first place. However it has brought some clarity - I'm not saying it'll be work to rule but the beyond-the-call stuff is certainly out the window now.  Using my lunchbreak to write is a strong possibility too, so is actually taking a lunchbreak.   

Yesterday I picked up my machine (cotton caught underneath the hook race, all better) and got into the quilting ahead of next week.  I'm about halfway through the top now.  The section on the left is sewn, and the right side has been rearranged yet again since the photo was taken.  As you can tell it has been put together randomly and I think I've probably subconsciously placed the same fabrics beside each other in the strips. Would a plan have been better?  Probably.  Would that have been me?  Almost certainly not.  I'm reasonably pleased with it, as much as I ever am with something I'm making for myself. Of course the quilting, binding etc makes a big difference too.

 

There's been some knitting. 

Socks that have been on the needles for ever are just about done.  Just some Kitchener stitch required. I'd decided to give these to my grandmother for Christmas as she was thrilled with the last pair and she hasn't been very well of late. I've decided to send them on early because tiny granny feet are just as cold in early December as later on that month. 

There are other WIPs on the needles.

A:  Kusha Kusha scarf, and thanks to Thimbleanna for procuring the Habu Superfine Merino from Purl for me.

B:  Secret for the moment

C:  Those bloody bootees

This creation is still underway, I won't get it finished this term... more photos of the process when it's all done:

It's quite a small size and there's a lot of work yet to do but the process is fascinating. 

Now, I have a question for all of you.  When Thimbleanna and I met up, we were talking about the Fabric Swap, as that was how we 'met' (though I think it was Round 1) and she wondered if I was going to do it again.  So - is there anyone interested?  Details are in the link above but it would involve sending three fabric strips to two separate partners, often shipping internationally.  I'd envisage it taking place in January again, because of upcoming holidays and holiday post.  One additional rule - you have to have a blog that is regularly updated to participate.  I was burned by someone relatively well known on the last swap who turned out to be quite notorious and so I'd use my discretion this time.

Ok, almost 10:30.  Time to get typing. On nano. 

Just one more...

...week off would be lovely, thanks.  I can't quite understand how two weeks have flown past already.  I took off to Lewes for the bonfire celebrations and if I could find the UBS cable for my camera I’d show you tons of photos.  It’s calculated lunacy, complete with the random tossing of fireworks into the crowd (rook scarers thrown at your feet) and burning of the pope.  Well, not the pope.

The next few days were my start of Nanowrimo, interrupted by a weekend spent at a hen weekend (ice-skating; ice bar, dinner and a cheesy club that’s allegedly quite posh) and the commensurate hangover the next day. 

Since then it’s been a little crafting, slightly less housework, loads of writing.  I made some progress on my quilt, as long as I could work around the cat:

Frustratingly my sewing machine has developed a little hiccup and it’s pulling the main thread in around the bobbin race when the needle descends – I think it’s going to have to go away which is a bit of a pain.  I’ll have to run it over tomorrow so that it can be fixed in time for the quilting course on the 29th – of course the quilt top has to be done by then, as, largely does Nano.  Fun!

I'm making the lightning trip to Cardiff tomorrow, literally in time for the party and away home early the next morning.  I don't expect to know many people there at all, apart from the birthday boy and his wife - who are lovely -  so it's somewhat of an adventure.  But sometimes I need to get outside of my comfort zone.  All the way to Wales, it seems.

There are some knitting projects on the go too, some of which are thanks to ThimbleAnna for procuring supplies, and there are a couple of surprise things too.  It’s also time to start thinking about Christmas presents though I’m not sure there will be time for anything handmade this year, certainly not handknitted.  Any other suggestions?

An institution that might need to change

The old joke goes, marriage is an institution, and who wants to be in an institution.  Gah, hold my sides for me. It's not that I have anything against marriage, but I'm not so sure about the Knitting and Stitching Show, aka Ally Pally any more. If I hadn't been generally having a giggle with lovely Lucy, I think I might not have lasted so long - and we did manage to get around all of the halls.  We chose to take a day off work and head there on the Friday - and it was still relatively busy.  Were Saturday and Sunday mental?  I read some posts on Ravelry from vendors who said that they would be discounting on Sunday which makes me think that footfall was down. But at least we could get to stalls to browse.

After spending £12 to get in, I was a little disappointed  with the range of vendors.  Yes, there were some bargains to be had, such as grab bags of Jitterbug from Colinette and Koigu for a fiver from Get Knitted.  You know, yarn.  Stuff you use for knitting. Alongside it there was to be a preponderance of - well, complete crap, basically.  Nasty clothing.  Handbags that embodied the antithesis of 'handmade'.  I was utterly underwhelmed by the fabric offerings and didn't buy anything.

You could still find the odd gem, such as the Interior Anarchist cross stitch from Random Monkey Designs.  We'd been to an event he [Phil?] ran at 93 Feet East in Brick Lane a couple of Sundays ago, which was an afternoon of cupcakes, cross-stitch and cocktails.  Bless them, when we found the stall at Ally Pally, it was being manned by his lovely parents who had come over for the event (sidebar: I shudder to think how much it must be for a stall at AP) and they also reported that Phil had made all the cupcakes for the Sunday himself too.  Now that's talent.

Apparently they are hoping that Cross-stitch, Cupcakes and Cocktails will become a regular event on the first Sunday of the month. It was packed and such fun.  I have my eye on one of his kits that is about to be released - featuring a flight of ducks with one in a sniper's sight.  As we didn't fancy any of the other kits, we decided to ape his 'Bollocks' design and either go for mild profanities or epithets such as 'I'd rather be knitting'.  That was Lotta's contribution and she  had almost finished it in the time it took me to stitch out C-R-A (you can see where I was going with that) and Lucy went for a multicoloured BITCH.  There was a photographer there and when we got to AP, they had framed some of the coverage... can you see in the corner?

Lucy's work is famous! 

So it was worth it for that alone.  Plus Lucy got the perfect yarn for a very special project so that was a success.

In other news I'm trying to sort out stuff at work, get promoted and a payrise. Easy to type, slightly more to it IRL. The corsetry class continues apace and the next decision is whether to use steel boning or just Rigilene  - I think I'll probably try the former even though it's just a sample.  It's a sample because everyone in the class is making the same size, learning the techniques and I may as well learn to insert steel boning. The tutor alledges that it fitted women from sizes 8 to 14 last year but I can't see it adorning anything other than my dress form.  But it's fun.

I finished the Debonnaire beret in Posh Yarns cashmere which is fabulously elusive stuff. It's slouchy to the extreme but I'm actually really pleased with it. I'm also wearing the wrong side out because I like the pattern better.  Real knitters may shudder.  Don't look too closely.

It's all coming along nicely...

I need to get some photos to show you all - but there are a couple of little Innocent Hats ready to go off, and after week 3 of the corset class, I have my all my fabric pieces cut and next week we sew.  Scary stuff.  On Friday I'm off to Ally Pally with Lucy, then the weekend is going to be spent freelancing and quilt-making - I got a reprieve on next Saturday as the organiser kindly moved me to the later course - I knew I wouldn't have the quilt top done. I'm looking forward to three days of crafting, and trying the new toy. Hoping to get to Origin to see Ruth soon too.  Lots of projects to finish, especially knitting though quite a bit of frogging to do too.  The cashmere beret is seven shades of wrong because it's more like a helmet.  Not the slouchy thing I'd envisaged.

Finally, thank you very much to all you lovelies who have been so encouraging about the running lunacy.  The forms have gone off.  It's just fingers crossed and start the training now...

Out on the town

Last night I was invited to a corporate hospitality do at the Open Air Theatre, to see a production of Gigi.  It was suitably atmospheric, with a backdrop of trees bathed in pastel light in the darkness, and fairylights strung through the bushes (unlike the sunshine of the press photos above).  The occasional drunk who could be heard shouting in Regent's Park didn't detract...much.  From our position up in the gods it was difficult to see the performers' faces clearly, but gradually the identity of the actor  with the distinctive voice playing the uncle revealed itself - Topol, who was wonderful, as were Millicent Martin and Linda Thorson.  I found myself suffering from severe milinery envy for most of the ensemble's fabulous hats.

We all agreed that the pair playing Gigi and Gaston were somewhat irritating and everyone in the audience had a rueful chuckle at 'Thank Heaven For Little Girls'.  Can't imagine something similar coming up in the next Disney flick. 

Tonight I joined a group of Ravellers, mostly from out of town for a dinner organised by Claire, ahead of tomorrow's I Knit Day.  Great tapas, great chat.  A relatively early night to get ready for tomorrow...lots to do.  Sewing machine shop (just returning a DVD. Definitely, not buying anything...No.) Off to Victoria and then more culture tomorrow night.  And puppets...

Whatcha been up to?

Culture with Abi

I didn't say 'high culture' as of course 'high camp' is more normally associated with the Wizard.   The production  has attracted a little controversy,  and I can't say I disagree with a lot of the criticisms but yes, the dog is great and more seriously it's worth going for the music alone which is utterly spellbinding.

Baking cupcakes with friends.  Finding Laura Marling's marrow and being bemused at and amused by Les Savy Favs at Field Day.  Sadly missing other lovely people's social occasions, from knitting operas to engagement parties.  Doing London Walks with my uncle and old colleagues, catching up on gossip - gossip was quality; walk was sadly not as interesting as previous outings. Plotting my first quilt for me; and starting to think about baby presents for the entire kindergarten class that's arriving Nov-Jan.  Eating really well and doing a ton of exercise.  Intending to blog more.  Preparing to buy lots of things from here for my new pursuit this autumn. Being excited about my new local, a resurrected pub which looks very promising.  Planning for Green Man.  Obsessively checking the weather forecast to see whether I need these.  Probably  more useful than ruby slippers.

Being made {{extremely happy}} by:

Thank you so much Kirsty, you immensely talented woman.

And by Dan Hillier:

 

I have the cloud. Now show me the goddammed silver lining.

Landed at SFO safely.  Good.
In Mountain View now.  Not so good.

There have been a few 'challenges' as my too polite boss often says.

• Missed first meeting, but that's ok.  Except the guy now isn't available tomorrow at all.  Oops.
• BlackBerry is dead.  Luckily I can now get online or wouldn't know where I was going (I know, there's a lesson in that)
• Tried to get $ out using my Switch card like I always do.  But all of my cards have been declined.  There are no 24 hour HSBC numbers (that pick up) so I am hoping I can get on to them tomorrow in my AM.  Having no money and being disconnected is scary.  At least my normal mobile is working.
• Taxi driver (thankfully prebooked using credit card) did turn up.  Very sweet man. But smelled of bad bad BO.  It was a long journey in many ways.
• It's fricking hot here.  I laughed and thought the BBC website was wrong - but inland it's 100 degrees.  Not that bad here I think but definitely a little heatwave.  Pasty white Irish girl didn't think to bring sunscreen.  (I know P, I should have known after last year at RC).
• Got to hotel, no room for me.  Manager obviously forgot to 'squeeze me in' like she said.  Luckily they had a cancellation.

It's all going to be better tomorrow.  Right?  Right?!

Oh, and got almost all of the increase rows done on a Clapotis for me in Blue Sky Alpaca Silk, the yarn I bought in Purl Soho last year.  Love the colour but it's a bit splitty.  And now it feels like the RSI is flaring...gnnnnnnrughhhhhh....

The art of no craft

How do I have as many hours in a given day as anyone else and not feel productive?  I'm hoping to change that.

Last weekend my too-small-to-be-of-much-use table looked like this:

Another episode of all the gear no idea, this is me crafting such fripperies such as feathery bits for my little hat and a watch-parts pendant for White Mischief. The remainder of the feathers may end up on the wall at some point.

It strikes me that being able to solder (accurately; and at home rather than in workshop or at a course) would be very beneficial but I cannot take on any more hobbies at the moment. Or buy anything else that could be classified as 'equipment'. So superglue it is for now. There was probably as much enjoyment gleaned from taking the old watches* apart as reconstructing them.  Though I would say I'm all about whether something works, as opposed to why it works. That may explain my challenges with knitting patterns.

This weekend the table looks like this:

Proof-reading so that I can earn some cash for a mooted diving trip; but also firstly for San Francisco.  I am trying to simplify a little and I think there's a declutter coming.  For a while I've been trying to avoid acquiring 'stuff' but I'm not sure it's working so well.  Well, there's stuff ie those delectable Dan Hillier prints
(will put the photos in the last post to show off their gorgeousness) which is good for my soul - and then there's bucketloads of crap.  Magazines whose subscriptions I can't figure out how to cancel; spare bedding with nowhere to store it; and 'stuff' that doesn't have a home here yet.  I tried to make it to a yarn swap/sale last week but TFL foiled me and the bag of yarn for sale is still in the hallway.

So while these tools of the trade have occupied me most of the weekend

I've also cast on with some of the precious Debbie Bliss silk from the stash.  I really did try to do the bolero from the Pure Silk book but seriously (in pursuit of sanity) short of paying someone to write me a line by line pattern, and despite assistance from helpful Ravelry people, I have decided to try the plain shrug. I have made it to the second section (where it asks you to cast on another 38 stitches mid row - still working on that).  But the colour and the drape will be fabulous so it's worth persevering.

There's lots at my day job to keep me busy too.  My uncle is visiting the next two weekends. I am terribly behind on my laundry (putting it away - my bedroom looks like Benetton with lots of folded clothes everywhere) Need to get going on making a few extra hours in each day. I have some ideas... deleting the newly-found Stumble Upon may be the best one... (Penni, that's all your fault!)

* though of course now I am utterly suspicious of all those pre-White Mischief transactions as one of them may have been the cause of the paypal nightmare.  Latest update is that the money that was claimed from my paypal account, though not from my bank account because I'd alerted the bank about it, has now been credited back to my account.  Hence more calls to paypal to explain that now there's money in my account that isn't mine.  That really is ironic. 

As Alannis would say...

...isn't it ironic.  After saying how much I was drawing from the internet, I had a nasty experience with someone drawing quite a lot of money fraudulently from my bank account.  My paypal account got hacked.  It's been a nightmare. The bank, Paypal and the police all going around in ever decreasing circles with nobody being definitive (though the bank was great eventually)  A friend used to work at Paypal and has been able to help somewhat but I can't see me using it ever again in the future.  The suspicion is that it's something to do with some of the many small purchases I made from Ebay in the run up to White Mischief. It was almost £500 ($1000) in total over three fake transactions.  One was withdrawn almost immediately after I raised them all with Paypal.  One is still being contested and what really freaked me out was that the bastard sent me a piece of paper by UPS  on Monday morning with something rather sinister written on it - so that presumably he could 'prove' that he 'sold' me something.  It was so upsetting:  the intrusion and the deceit as much as the annoyance and the worry.

The latest development is that the third transaction has been reversed to my account; but as I shouldn't ever have had any money leave my account, it's a bit confusing.  I think that the guy who tried to take my money has now had the same amount debited from his account which gives me a credit balance. My colleagues all told me to transfer the cash to my current account - hey, it's not like I couldn't do with it but that would be very bad karma and I just want it all over.  I will not use either service again which is pissing me off because of various things I wanted to buy for friends on Etsy and other places.

The good thing is that I have a reason to be saving my pennies - and that is a work trip to San Francisco!  My boss agreed that I can go for the weekend of Renegade Craft so it's a free trip essentially (and my summer holiday though Ting and I were talking about diving in the autumn...).  Can't decide whether to work before or afterwards - I guess if it's the end of my trip that might work better for me.  So I have some questions for any of you folks that know SF:

Where to say?  It will probably be at one of these hotels and I have the option to stay in the city and take the shuttle to work, or stay in the valley and move back to the city for the weekend.  Or commute from the city all week, it's about an hour each way which I'm ok with as I won't hire a car; just have to work out what time it leaves in the evenings to return to the city.

What to do?  Apart form Renegade Craft.  I know there's more than a weekend's worth of stuff but let's not worry about that right now.

What are the 'can't miss' places or hang-outs?  Who knows the city and has recommendations?  Fabric shops, trimmings, LYSs, foodie spots, Japanese craft stores or bookshops?

Tell me all!

No pics as camera is dead - may revisit soon x